Dragons Fall at Villanova, 9-6

Tuesday, March 4

Villanova, Pa.

4 p.m.

Drexel University

Villanova

3/4/2025 5:50:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Drexel had its two game winning streak snapped with a 9-6 loss at Villanova on Tuesday night at Villanova Stadium. The Dragons fell to 3-3 while Villanova is now 2-3.

The 'Cats led by just one goal heading into the final quarter but extended the lead to 9-6 early in the fourth. David Link scored a pair of goals to give Villanova a three-goal cushion with just under 12 minutes remaining in the game. The Wildcats defense held the Dragons off the board the rest of the way.

Five different Dragons scored a goal, with Jack Joyner leading the way with a goal and an assist. He was the only player with more than a point as the 'Cats defeated Drexel for the fourth straight time.

Villanova took the lead for good early in the third quarter with two goals in the opening minutes. Matt Licata scored both of the goals for the 'Cats. Will Farrell cut the lead in half, but Villanova answered with a minute left when Mattew Swirbalus picked up a loose ball in front and scored the 'Cats seventh goal. The Dragons were able to get some of the momentum back with 19 seconds to go when Max Semple rifled a shot into the top corner from the right side to make the score 7-6 after three.

Drexel began the second quarter with three straight goals to take a 4-2 lead. Conor Hooley started the scoring with a right-alley dodge and finished it off with a shot into the top left corner. Two minutes later Jack Joyner bounced one past the goalie to give Drexel a 3-2 lead. Matt Martin finished the run with a deep shot from the right side, making it 4-2 halfway through the second period. Villanova answered when Colin Michener picked up his second of the afternoon. The 'Cats tied it with just 1.5 seconds left in the half. Drexel appeared to cause a turnover, but Licata picked up the loose ball and found Nick Lucchesi 10 yards out right in front of the net. He fired it into the lower corner and the teams were tied after the first 30 minutes.

The Dragons opened the scoring when Witt Crawford picked up a rebound off a Drexel shot and rifled a shot past Villanova goalie Denis Fargione in the game's fifth minute. The Dragons applied a great deal of pressure in the first but that was the only goal they would score. Villanova would even the game on a Michener goal and took the lead with less than two minutes to play in the first half when Lucchesi beat Drew McGill. Despite out shooting the 'Cats, 12-5, the Dragons found themselves down a goal after one.

Lucchesi, Michener, Licata and Link each had two goals for Villanova. McGill had 10 saves for DU, while Fargione had 11. The Dragons out shot Villanova, 38-31, and had nine more ground balls than the hosts. The teams split 18 face offs.

The Dragons will be on the road once again this weekend in Philadelphia. Drexel will head to Saint Joseph's on Sunday for their fourth straight road game. The Dragons will finally be back at Vidas Field when they host Monmouth in their CAA opener on March 15.