‘Nova (6-8) women knock off UConn ( 9-5), 13-12 in overtime. It’s the week for teams to celebrate, thank and congratulate their Seniors. The Villanova Wildcats Women’s team took their turn. The honored guests were Brittany Bruno, Katie Comerford, Haley Driscoll, Kelsey Mentzer, Julianne Puckette, and Liz Trojan.
To the Action
The definition of a back and forth game would be this one. Caroline Curnal (1g) put Villanova in front with 1:24 played. The Huskies fired up a three-goal run with Grace Coon (4g,1a), Sydney Watson (1g, 1a) with Watson getting the helper on a Stephanie Palmucci (3g,1a) tally, and with 24:49 remaining the Huskies pulled in front. Alexa Tsahalis (2g) countered. UConn unfurled another three-goal run-off goals from Madelyn George (1g) on the advantage, Lia LaPrise (2g,2a), and Coon hitting her 23rd. It became a 6-2 contest.
Abby McKenna (2g) put an end to that uprising. Kyra Place (1g) followed by LaPrise netting her 26th made it an 8-3 game. Two of the guests of Honor for the pre-game festivities came to the party and seemed to steal the Huskies’ momentum. Katie Comerford (3g,3a) hit Brittany Bruno (3g,2a) on the disadvantage and it was 8-4.
The teams went scoreless for 5:49 before the roles were reversed with Comerford depositing a Bruno feed. Coon answered that tally but with :37 remaining, you guessed it, the dynamic duo went back at it with Comerford hitting Bruno for her 22nd that would end the half with a UConn lead of 9-6. Just a minute and four seconds in Palmucci hit for her 13th on the advantage.
Gaining confidence, Villanova was battling. 24 seconds after the goal it was Libby McKenna knocking home her 27th. The ever-present Comerford got her 31st two and a half minutes later and the Wildcats were chipping away getting it to 10-8. Palmucci moved it to 11-8. This half it would be Nova’s turn for the mini runs with Olivia Piccirilli (1g) followed by Tsahalis notching her 14th to get it to 11-10 with 12:40 to go. Coon seemingly out it away at 9:13 with neither team able to score for eight minutes.
In the End
But, they are called Wildcats for a reason. An uprising would occur started at 1:14 with Comerford finding Fellow Guest of Honor, Haley Driscoll who hit her only goal of the day to make it a 12-11 deficit. Then, the intensity would really pick up with the Bruno, Comerford connection stepping up when Bruno found her partner in crime. She deposited a shot behind Landyn White with only :34 to play and off to overtime they would go. Tsahalis intercepted a pass. It hit Bruno who went in alone. It ended the Villanova win with only thirty-four seconds played in the extra stanza. ‘Nova (6-8) women knock off UConn ( 9-5), 13-12 in overtime.
Who da Thunked It
White stopped 6 Nova shots in going the distance. For the Cats, Alex Moro pushed aside 4 shots in her 23:02 with Mary Alice Collins seeing 38:32 of action stopping 6 UConn tries. Yet another statistically even contest that resulted in Nova having 30 shots to UConn’s 29. UConn got more on net, 22-19 with turnovers being even at 17 with Villanova winning the ground ball battle, 24-16.
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.
