PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team fell to the Villanova Wildcats, 3-1, Sunday night on Rhodes Field. The win for the Wildcats brings them to 5-3, while the loss for the Quakers ends their undefeated bid and drops them to 4-1-2.
 
Quaker Notemeal
* The Quakers were handed their first defeat of the season, officially capping the best start in the loss column for the Quakers since the 2022 season.

* Junior Mia Fuss got her second goal of the season, leading to a career high in goals and points already on the young season.

* Sophomore Lily White and freshman Lauren Stevens earned starts in this one, making them the 17th and 18th unique starters the Quakers have had this season.

* The Quakers will get Ivy League play underway Friday against Princeton.
 
How it Happened
Tonight's match started at a far more reasonable pace than the last. The early part of the first half was played between the boxes, with neither side dominating possession. Penn had two corner kick opportunities early but could not convert on either. The Wildcats began to build momentum, however. At the 22nd minute, the Wildcats drew a penalty kick, which was well saved by junior goaltender Megan Graves.

At the 32nd minute, Villanova would cash in on their next opportunity, when freshman forward Avrie Nelson opened the scoring with a right foot to the left post. As has been a trend this season, the Quakers would respond quickly.

At the 35th minute, senior Mallory Lucas crossed a pass from the near box to junior Mia Fuss. Fuss put a strong right foot on the ball for the equalizer.

The Wildcats would not be phased. In a two-minute span, Villanova scored two goals. At the 35th minute, Avrie Nelson scored her second goal of the match when she found the net in tight just minutes after the Fuss goal. Shortly after, at the 37th minute, Olivia Neal would send a throw in towards the base line, which was taped along by Morgan Kotch. The ball would sneak in the far post for third Wildcat goal of the match.

The second half would resemble more of what the early portion of the first frame looked like. Both teams had decent offensive pushes, but no goals to show for them. Despite outshooting the Cats 10-4 in the second half, the Quakers could not close the distance and suffered their first loss of the season.

The Quakers will get a few days off before looking towards the Tigers of Princeton, who come to visit on Rhodes Field this Friday at 6 p.m.