NORFOLK, Va. -- The 25th-ranked Old Dominion field hockey team suffered a heart-breaking 2-1 defeat in a penalty shootout to Villanova on Friday afternoon at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
In what was essentially a play-in game for next week's Big East Tournament, Villanova (9-8, 4-3 Big East) scored the game-tying goal with just over 10 minutes remaining and then won the penalty shootout, 4-3. With the win, the Wildcats clinched the last bid to the tournament.
"We played great. I mean we really dominated the game," said Griffiths. "The statistics speak for themselves. We just couldn't put another one in after that early goal."
Old Dominion (10-6, 3-4 Big East) outshot the Wildcats, 26-7, and held a 19-4 advantage in penalty corners. Alexandria Brewer scored the Monarchs' lone goal in the seventh minute that gave ODU the early 1-0 lead.
In the cage, Kealsie Robles and Lacey Frazier split time. Robles played the first half, making two saves. Frazier, who received just her second loss of the season, made one save in 55 minutes of action. Frazier also stopped four of Villanova's eight penalty attempts.
"I am disappointed for the team, because they've been a really great group" said head coach Andrew Griffiths. "They've been a really strong group together. I'm heart-broken for them that they are not going to get the chance to play more after this weekend."
On Sunday, the Monarchs host No. 1 North Carolina at noon in the regular season finale. It will also be Senior Day.
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