In a game that see-sawed from start to finish, the Penn field hockey team had its season-high, two-game win streak snapped with a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat at the hands of Villanova.
Villanova's Christina Lugones scored the game winner 63:41 into the game.
The Wildcats' Kristen Strocen got the scoring started as she blistered a penalty shot past freshman goalie Amanda Jacobs, staking Villanova to an early 1-0 lead.
Penn's Cecilia Carriquiry evened the score with an impressive tally of her own.
Carriquiry's goal was set up by some wonderful passing off a corner opportunity.
The goal was Carriquiry's fifth of the young season and tied her for first on the team.
Villanova, however, would dominate the remainder of first-half play.
The Wildcats used their speed to keep the ball in the offensive end for the large majority of the first half.
Finally, Leah Lisausky was able to capitalize on the offensive pressure and gave Villanova a 2-1 lead heading into the half.
The Quakers seemed to settle down in the second half and mounted a consistent offensive attack.
Liz Lorelli was able to knot the score at two with her rebound goal.
After the Red and Blue were given a free shot, Lorelli took the rebound and snuck it past Villanova goalie Meghan Helwig.
Once Penn had tied the game, the action was non-stop from end to end. Both teams generated offensive chance after chance.
Marianne Rogers had the best opportunity of any Quaker to put her team ahead.
With ten minutes left in the contest, Rogers was on the recieving end of a beautiful pass that left her staring at nothing but open net.
The ball bounced high onto her stick and she could do no better than harmlessly guide the ball off the side of the net.
Jacobs was then put to the test as Villanova answered right back with a breakaway.
Jacobs stepped up and made a save that resulted in a Villanova corner.
Villanova took complete advantage of their corner opportunity and promptly blasted a shot past Jacobs.
The tie would not be broken, however, as Penn defensive standout Nicole Eissler was there to back up her beaten goaltender with a brilliant save.
Moments later though, the Villanova offense would strike again on a corner chance.
After sneaking the ball past Jacobs for the second time in the span of a few minutes, the Red and Blue were bailed out by its defense one last time.
Unlike before though, Villanova forward Lugones was able to gather the rebound and beat the helpless Penn defender.
Trailing 3-2 the Red and Blue put forth one last frantic effort to tie the score.
The consistent offensive pressure resulted in the Quakers getting one last corner in the final minute.
The Villanova defense was up to the challenge, stopping the Quakers before they could even get off a shot.
For the Red and Blue, the loss stopped them from obtaining their first three-game win streak in four years.
Penn will be looking to carry its strong play into the weekend as it travels to Dartmouth in search of its first Ivy League victory of the year.
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