Villanova Defeats Drexel in Philly Four Classic, 14-7

Wednesday, March 8

Philadelphia, Pa. / Sweeney Field (SJU)

5 p.m.

Drexel University

2-3

Villanova

4-1

Drexel Dragons

Villanova

Villanova Defeats Drexel in Philly Four Classic, 14-7

3/8/2023 7:54:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Villanova scored nine second half goals on its way to a 14-7 victory against Drexel at the Philly Classic held at Saint Joseph's. The Dragons (2-3) played a solid first half but were held to just one goal in the final 30 minutes of the game. The 14th-ranked Wildcats improved to 4-1.

The Dragons trailed early by three goals, but had a solid second quarter on a cold night at Sweeney Field and led at intermission. With the Wildcats ahead 4-1, Drexel scored five straight goals to take a 6-4 lead. Freshman Conor Hooley started the scoring at the 12:49 mark. Less than a minute later, fellow freshman Jack Joyner scored his first collegiate goal to cut the lead to just one. Sean Donnelly then tied it up on an unassisted goal to make it 4-4. Drexel continued the impressive run when Hooley gave Drexel the lead. Hooley went right, then switched to his left from less than 10 yards away and fired a shot in the back of the age. Exactly one minute later, Sean Donnelly picked up a rebound right in front and scored his second of the night, making it a 6-4 game. Villanova finally stopped the run when Matt Campbell found Patrick Daly in the final minute of the half.

The second half was dominated by Villanova. Drexel regained a two-goal lead when Luke Tomak fired home a left-handed shot, making it 7-5 just 35 seconds into the second half. That would be Drexel's last goal of the contest as Villanova scored five times to close out the third, taking a 10-7 lead. Drexel committed eight turnovers in the third as the momentum swung to the Wildcats. Villanova added four more in the fourth quarter making it a 14-7 final.

Hooley finished with his first career hat trick, while Donnelly scored his 13th and 14th of the year. Ross Blumenthal made 13 saves for the Dragons, who were outshot, 43-25. Drexel's Justin Joseph won 14 of 25 face-offs, but the Dragons couldn't capitalize as they had 24 turnovers in the game. Daly and Mason Reale each had hat tricks for Villanova.

Drexel is back in action against No. 17 Saint Joseph's on Saturday at Franklin Field.