Villanova Rallies to Defeat Drexel in Double Overtime, 13-12

Tuesday, March 5

Philadelphia, Pa.

5 p.m.

Drexel University

3-2

Villanova

3-2

OT 1

Drexel

Photo by: Sideline Photos

Villanova Rallies to Defeat Drexel in Double Overtime, 13-12

3/5/2024 8:05:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Drexel men's lacrosse team went to overtime for the third time in five games, but this time the Dragons came up on the wrong side of a 13-12 score. Villanova rallied from a three-goal deficit in the final six minutes to force the extra period and defeated the Dragons with a goal in the first minute of the second overtime. Each team is now 3-2 this season.

Villanova's Thomas McIntire ended the game when he took Mason Reale's feed just behind the net and headed to the crease. He bounced a shot past Drew McGill, giving the 'Cats the unlikely victory in the second overtime.

Drexel had a chance to end it in the first overtime, but Anthony Wilson denied Luke Tomak a minute into the first overtime. It was the only shot of the first four-minute extra period as the Drexel defense thwarted Villanova's last possession and didn't allow a shot.

Villanova won 70 percent of the face-offs and had the possession advantage most of the night. The Wildcats outshot the Dragons, 52-31, but the Dragons were able to get the lead due to efficient offense throughout the first three periods and some aggressive defense. Drexel's defense caused 11 turnovers, the most thus far this season.

Tomak had another big offensive night with four goals and two assists. He now has 11 points in his last two games. Conor Hooley and Max Semple each had hat tricks, with Hooley adding three assists for a season-best six points. Zach Augustine and Gavin Kelly each had two assists. McGill made 11 saves, his fifth straight game with at least 11 stops.

Reale had a goal and four assists for Villanova, while Matt Licata added three goals and five points. Justin Coppola won 19 of his 27 face-off attempts and had a game-high nine ground balls.

The Dragons trailed early as Villanova scored on three of their first shots to take a 3-1 lead. Semple, who opened the scoring in the game, had his second goal in the first five minutes of the game to cut the lead in half. Villanova's Lucas Newton's unassisted goal put the 'Cats up 4-2, but that would be their last goal of the half. Drexel ended the second quarter on a three-goal run to take a 5-4 lead at halftime. Hooley, Semple and Tomak had the Drexel goals in that run.

Villanova evened it up 90 seconds into the third when Reale had the first of his four assists in the game as he set up Colin Michener for his second goal of the night. Drexel then had another three-goal run as Witt Crawford, Caden Zadell and Tomak scored within a span of 3:05. That put the Dragons up three at 8-5. The game then went back and forth with the 'Cats and Dragons exchanging the next eight goals as Drexel kept at least a two-goal advantage until late.

The Dragons looked to be in good shape as Tomak set up Hooley for a tough angled goal with 5:31 remaining, making it 12-9. That would be the Dragons' last goal of the night. Just 27 seconds after Hooley's goal, Stephen Zupicich finished a feed from Licata, cutting the lead to two. Licata then completed his hat trick with 2:25 to play making it a one goal game. Villanova had a possession late but McGill came up with a big save. However, the Dragons committed a key turnover, their seventh of the quarter, which gave Villanova possession right back and the final shot. Tyler Boes made Drexel play as he evened it up with just nine seconds to play to force the game into overtime.

The Dragons have another city match-up on Sunday, when they travel across town to face Saint Joseph's at 3:30 p.m.