Villanova’s four-game winning streak ended on Thursday night when they lost 1-0 to Princeton at Roberts Stadium. The only goal of the game came from a penalty kick in the 60th minute, breaking a solid defensive stretch where Villanova hadn’t allowed a goal in over 462 minutes.
Head coach Samar Azem praised the team’s effort. “We made it tough for Princeton,” he said. Despite some unfortunate plays, he believed the team held their own. Villanova outshot Princeton, but they couldn’t find the back of the net. Amalia Cardo led the team with four shot attempts, matching her career high.
In the game, Hannah Dickinson, the Villanova goalkeeper, showcased her skills with five saves, almost equaling her season best. Early on, she denied two shots from Drew Coomans and Ally Murphy, keeping the game scoreless until the penalty kick changed the tide.
Princeton’s goal came after a foul by Kate Dobsch in the box, allowing Ally Murphy to score. Murphy was the standout player for Princeton, recording four shots, two of which were on target.
Azem noted that while Villanova had its moments, a tie would have felt inadequate. He added, “We did enough to earn that, but it’s not good enough for us.”
Villanova had a close call late in the game when Gabby Koluch set up a potential goal, but the ball was deflected. They will wrap up nonconference play on Sunday against Penn in Philadelphia.
Additional Insights
In sports, maintaining focus in the moments leading to key plays can dictate the outcome. According to a study by Sports Psychology Review, teams that maintain composure during critical moments tend to perform better under pressure. This is a skill that can greatly influence close games like this one.
As Villanova moves on, building resilience on the field will be essential for their upcoming matches. It’s an opportunity to learn from this tough loss and bounce back stronger.
