#10 Denver works overtime to defeat #16 Villanova Wildcats. The opening quarter foreshadowed the ending with both teams scoring four goals. Jack Hannah (3g) scoring his first of three to start off the Denver day with the Wildcats countering with Matt Campbell (3g,2a) and Collin Crowley (1g,1a) leapfrogging the Denver lead.
In-Game Action
The day would become a “you score two, we score two”’ event. Denver countered with Ethan Walker (5G,1a) and Sam Dwinell (1g) making it a 3-2 Pios edge. Austin Fraser (1g) followed by Corey McManus (2g) took the Villanova turn and Lucas Cotler (1g,1a) closed the 4-4 quarter.
The second saw the defenses tighten further with each club accounting for one. Hannah hit his 31st to make it 5-4 Denver, but Campbell countered at the 9:36 mark with his 29th to close the half with a 5-5 score. It was more of the same in the third. Keegan Khan (2g,1a) getting the helper on a man-up score from Campbell to put the ‘Nova run to three and a 7-5 Wildcats advantage.
Denver got it back to within one with a goal from Walker (28th) on the EMO with help from Alex Simmons to end the third with the Pios down, 7-6. The fourth quarter saw the offenses open up with a combined seven goals. Started with Simmons (1g,1a) on the advantage who was answered five minutes later by Khan. Walker and Hannah made it 10-8 Denver with 2:13 to play.
Would Villanova fold up the tent and call it a day? Whadda you think? They are not called Wildcats for no reason. Campbell assisted on the 17th from McManus with 1:05 remaining and with :31 on the clock, Patrick Daly hit paydirt and Old Man Overtime was beckoned. Cotler made a pretty pass that Walker converted at the 2.57 mark to give Denver the victory.
By the Numbers
With the result, The Pios improve to 11-3 and 9-1 in the Big East with Villanova falling to 6-4 with 6-4 in the Big East. Villanova had the edge in shots at 50-36 and shots on goal, 30-21. Denver turned the ball over 17 times while the Wildcats only had 8. The Pios had more ground balls, 29-21, and won the face-off battle, 16-11 with transfer TD Ierlan winning 8 of 12. Denver’s Jack Thompson had 20 saves with Will Vitton stopping 10 for Villanova. Denver works overtime to defeat #16, Villanova.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
