The UPenn and Villanova men’s lacrosse team met for a Pennsylvania brawl at Villanova’s home, in Northwest Philadelphia.
The intensity of this rival game was unmatched as this was the fourth time out of the past five games that one goal influenced the outcome.
Villanova started out strong and held the lead until the last two minutes of the fourth quarter. They had goals scored by some of their most capable players, including Junior Eric Gartner, who was the 2013 Villanova Rookie of the Year, and senior Kevin O’Neil.
Villanova prolonged their lead during the second period, and by the third quarter they were up 7-3 over the Quakers.
UPenn was not going to let Villanova triumph easily, so they countered the lead by scoring four unanswered goals, tying the game at 7-7. After a few rallies, Penn scored bringing the game to 11-8. Villanova responded by scoring three goals within three minutes, tying the game at 11-11.
Penn’s McCallion scored, giving the team their first lead since the beginning of the game, bringing the score to 12-11, and ensuring the W for UPenn this weekend.
This was a heartbreaking upset for Villanova, but the Quakers are excited for the momentum this will bring for the team as they head to face their Ivy League rival, Princeton next week.
