Villanova drops heartbreaker, 14-12. The #11 Villanova Wildcats (7-5) took on the #8 Georgetown Hoyas (11-2) for the right to play in the Big East Championship. These two have played each three times this season with Georgetown having the first two, 16-1 and 8-7.
In-Game Action
Declan McDermott (3g, 1a) kicked off the scoring at the 12.20 mark. Keegan Khan (5g) at 11:21 and a second at 10:04 gave the Wildcats a 2-1 lead. McDermott set up Graham Bundy Jr. (2g,1a) to set the pattern for the goal-scoring with neither squad able to build momentum or stage a substantial lead.
Eric Overbay (2g) followed by Tucker Goodelle (1g) at 1:15 ended the first quarter with the Wildcats in front, 4-2. It took just 1:17 for Khan to push it 5-2 but Nicky Petkevich (2g) and McDermott got it to 5-4 with 10:53 to play. Corey McManus (2g) countered for Nova but Carraway (2g,1a) at 5:47 and Bundy Jr. setting up McDermott for his 16th at 2:10 to close the curtain on the thrilling first half and a 6-6 affair.
It took a grand total of forty-four seconds for McManus to convert a pretty Patrick Daly (1a) feed and the Wildcats went back in front. Eric Overbay scored less than a minute later but Jake Carraway notching his 45th got it back to a one-goal event. :50 after the Carraway market, Dylan Watson (2g) closed the third like it started, tied up, 8-8. The goal exchange was underway with Petkevich and Khan keeping it even.
It was the turns of The Hoyas James Reilly (1g) and Nova’s Colin Crowley (1g,1a). At 10:21 it Dylan Watson but, ten seconds later, Khan hit his fifth on the day and 25th on the season making it 11-11. Bundy Jr. registered his 34th but Owen Prybylsky (1g) continued the goal match contest and 8:00 left, it was still a tie, 12-12.
TJ Haley (1g, 4a) notched the game-winner with 4:39 left and Petkevich added insurance. Haley becomes the All-Time Georgetown assist leader breaking Greg McCabera’s record of 451 set in 1999. Haley now has 454. James Reilly had a goal and went 17 for 29 from the “X” with 11 ground balls.
By the Numbers
‘Nova fired 45 shots with the Hoyas countering with 39. 29 of the 44 were on the jet with Georgetown putting 21 on goal. The Hoyas turned the ball over 20 times to double the 10 from Villanova. G’town scooped 32 ground balls with the Wildcats nabbing 25.
Owen McElroy made 17 saves for the Hoyas. Georgetown faces Denver on Saturday, May 8 at 3 pm for the Big East Crown. Villanova drops heartbreaker, 14-12.
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.
