As the season heads to its final games of the regular season, playoff seeds are made or broken. Some of the teams solidified their place in the standings, some are holding on, while others face an uphill climb.
It was a good week for La Salle and the University of Pennsylvania sweeping both games on the schedule. The Explorers had two shutouts defeating George Mason 2 – 0 and Davidson 1 – 0. Goal Keeper Claudia Jenkins posted two shutouts giving her 5 on the season. Maci Bower scored the game winner against Davidson with under a minute left to play. She has a team-leading 7 goals. The University of Pennsylvania won twice blanking the opposition each time. Sizzy Lawton scored the only goal in the contest against Dartmouth. It was the fifth clean slate for goalie Kitty Qu. Penn went out of conference and shutout Delaware State 2 – 0. Ashley Gabor was in goal and has not given up a score in 225 minutes of play.
Saint Joseph’s and Temple earned a draw, but also got a loss in weekly action. The Owls were on their road trip to Florida. In the first game they earned a hard-fought scoreless tie at #21 UCF. The Cherry and White relied on their defense and goal keeper Morgan Basileo, who made 11 saves, to keep the ball from crossing the line. The Knights had a 26 – 3 edge in shots. Basileo saved five at South Florida giving her a total of 117. Saint Joseph’s lost 2 – 0 at George Washington, then returned home and played to a scoreless draw against Fordham. Goal Keeper Cameron Perrott saved 13 shots over the week.
Villanova and Drexel had one game on the docket and each team was defeated. Drexel fell in overtime to William & Mary, a team they were tied with in the standings coming into the game. The loss damaged the Dragons hopes of getting into the CAA Tournament. Drexel dropped to 9th place. Villanova had a Big East game at Marquette and lost 3 – 0. Alyssa Bombacino scored all three goals for the Golden Eagles who are in a four-team tie for fourth place along with the Wildcats.
This week La Salle has a crucial season-ending game at Massachusetts. That contest has huge seeding implications with a tournament home game on the line. Saint Joe’s also has its regular season ender hosting Rhode Island with the Hawks hoping to keep the last conference post season seed. Villanova hosts St. John’s. Each game has a play-in game feeling for the Wildcats in the Big East. Temple hosts Delaware State in a out of conference contest. Penn has Yale coming to West Philadelphia. Drexel ends their regular season home schedule when Northeastern comes to town. The Dragons have no room for error and needs help to extend its season.
Week of October 15 – 21, 2019
DREXEL 5 – 8 – 3 Overall, 1 – 5 – 1 CAA
Results – Lost 2 – 1 (OT) vs. William & Mary
Summary – The Dragons took a 1 – 0 lead, but could not hold it falling in overtime. Melissa Lyon gave Drexel the lead with her goal.
Next Game – 10/24 vs. Northeastern
LA SALLE 9 – 6 – 1 Overall, 5 – 3 – 0 Atlantic 10
Results – Won 2 – 0 at George Mason, Won 1 – 0 vs. Davidson
Summary – The goal by Bower in the Davidson game came with 58 seconds showing on the scoreboard. Katie Hoffman and Bower found the back of the net at Mason. The Explorers will end the regular season at UMass. La Salle occupies 4th place in the Atlantic 10, a half game behind Massachusetts. Placing in the top four means getting a home game in the first round of the tournament. That is what may be at stake in the Bay State.
Next Game – 10/24 at UMass
PENN – 8 – 4 – 1 Overall, 2 – 2 – 0 Ivy League
Results– Won 1 – 0 vs. Dartmouth, Won 2 – 0 at Delaware State
Summary – Lawton scored her third goal of the season against Dartmouth. She has 7 points, the highest total for a freshman. Mia Shenk and McRae Fried got one past the goal keeper in Dover. The Quakers outshot the Hornets 22 – 3, the largest margin this year. Penn is in 5th place in the Ivy League.
Next Game – 10/26 vs. Yale
SAINT JOSEPH’S 6 – 8 – 2 Overall, 3 – 4 – 1 Atlantic 10
Results – Lost 2 – 0 at George Washington, Tied 0 – 0 (2 OT) vs. Fordham
Summary – The Hawks were behind in shots in both games, a total of 32 – 19. The Hawks are in 8th place in the league and have the last playoff spot at this minute. SJU closes the regular season hosting Rhode Island, a huge game at Sweeney Field.
Next Game – 10/24 vs. Rhode Island
TEMPLE 4 – 9 – 4 Overall, 2 – 5 – 1 AAC
Results – Tied 0 – 0 (2 OT) at #21 UCF, Lost 2 – 0 at USF
Summary – It was the fourth shutout of the season for Basileo at UCF. Over the week she had 16 saves. The Owls were outshot 39 – 11 on the road. Temple is in a tie for sixth place in the American who awards six berths in the post season.
Next Game – 10/27 vs. Delaware State
VILLANOVA 7 – 4 – 3 Overall, 3 – 1 – 1
Results – Lost 3 – 1 at Marquette
Summary – Sam Rosette scored the lone Nova goal. Rebecca Gartner made 6 saves in Milwaukee. Nova is tied for fourth place in the Big East, level with Providence, DePaul, and Marquette. There are six spots available for post season play.
Next Game – 10/24 vs. St. John’s
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