Women’s Soccer Weekly Update

Villanova and Drexel Open Their Season With Wins, Paul Royal Gets Win Number 200

August 22, 2023 –

The women’s soccer season is underway for the Philly Division I schools. The Villanova Wildcats started with a win and a tie. Drexel opened their season on a victorious note, but fell in their second game. La Salle won season game number two, and it was the 200th career win for Coach Paul Royal.

The Villanova Wildcats got the season underway with two games at the Higgins Soccer Complex. They got a 3 – 0 win over Marist to start the season. The Cats were on their way to win number two, but a goal in the 81st minute by the Lehigh Mountain Hawks knotted the game at one-each. Nova starts the season at 1- 0 – 1. Four different Wildcats players scored goals in the opening week; Maddie Fried, Jackie Richards, Gabby Koluch in game one, and Alex Little in the second contest. Brigid Malloy assisted twice.

In the opener the Drexel Dragons posted a 3 – 0 shutout win over Fordham. Megan Tate got the first goal of the season for the Dragons. In the second game Drexel fell to #14 Pitt 4 – 1. Delaney Lappin scored her first goal of the season in Western Pennsylvania. It was her 21st career-goal moving Lappin into third place on the all-time goal scoring list at Drexel. This season the senior forward has a goal and an assist.

Coach Paul Royal of the La Salle Explorers earned his 200th career coaching victory in the second game of the season as La Salle downed Albany 1 – 0 in a road game. Hayley Gschrey scored the game-winner in the 59th minute. Goal Keeper Gabby Neal earned her first career win and shutout. La Salle lost to Towson 2 – 1 in the opener. Courtney Butlion scored for the Explorers in the 85th minute of play.

A loss and a draw started the season for the Saint Joseph’s Hawks. The Hawks were beaten 4- 0 at Bucknell. Returning home Saint Joe’s and William & Mary played to a scoreless draw. Hawks goalie Katie Cappelletti registered clean slate number 16 tying the program all-time record for shutouts in a career. She has saved a total of 18 shots this season.

It was a tough start for the Temple Owls who were scoreless in losses to William & Mary (4 – 0) and Loyola, Maryland (1 – 0). The Cherry and White put 2 shots on goal. Goalie Tamsin Bynoe saved 11 shots over the two games.

The University of Pennsylvania Quakers open their season on August 25 when they host American U.

Records and Upcoming Games

Drexel 1 – 1 – 0 next game August 24 vs. UMBC at Vidas Field

La Salle 1 – 1 – 0 next game August 24 vs. Delaware at McCarthy Stadium

Penn 0 – 0 – 0 next game August 25 vs. American U. at Penn Park

Saint Joseph’s 0 – 1 – 1 next game August 24 at Lehigh

Temple 0 – 2 – 0 next game August 24 vs. Rider at the Temple Sports Complex

Villanova 1 – 0 – 1 next game August 27 at Temple

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

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