Spring Break
Strong defense helps No. 16 Drexel past Villanova
Sean Gauby
Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Sports
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As Drexel Head Coach Chris Bates fully knows, Drexel versus Villanova is a big deal no matter what sport is in action. Vidas Field was full of energy April 11 for this key conference match-up, despite the cold weather and freezing rain.
"It is a conference game, but Villanova is a rival. You can throw out the records and know it is going to be a battle every year."
Thanks to great defense and 16 saves by Drexel goalie Bruce Bickford, the Dragons dominated Villanova with a 12-5 victory.
The defense stifled Villanova (5-5, 1-2 CAA) the entire second half, as the Wildcats did not score a goal over the final two quarters. Holding the Wildcats to five goals is even more impressive considering the Dragons (9-3, 3-0) lost 16 of 20 face-offs.
"The defense has just continued to get better throughout the year," Bates said. "We've got good leadership down there. The goalie has played great, and we are really starting to play like a unit."
The Wildcats had the Dragons on the run for the early part of the game. Most of the first quarter was played in Villanova's offensive end, but the Dragons hung tough and only trailed 2-1 after the first 15 minutes. After an early second-quarter goal for the Wildcats to make it 3-1, the Dragons came to life. In a quick eight-minute stretch, Drexel went on a 6-0 run to take the lead for good.
"We just kept coming after them," Bates said. "Ultimately, we just kept sharing the ball, and we put the ball into the net. I thought we had a good scouting report in terms of their goaltender, and we got our hands free and shot the ball well."
The Dragons dominated in the second half. Early in the third quarter, they scored three times in a three-minute span to take a commanding 10-5 lead. Bickford stopped all 10 shots-on-goal in the half, and the offense sucked the life out of Villanova by pouring on the goals. Andrew Chapman, Jon Van Houten and Colin Ambler each scored three goals, and Ron Garling contributed with two more. Mike Filippone and Greg Casey chipped in with two assists each.
"Our guys played with a lot of heart and did a nice job pulling away," Bates said. "Defensively, we played great in the second half. Clearly shutting them out."
Bickford had a busy night in goal. The Wildcats out-shot the Dragons 39-26, and they kept pressure on the Dragon defense all night.
"We gave the game ball to our goalie, Bruce Bickford," Bates said. "He was solid. He anchors us and keeps up at an even-keel."
Drexel is getting hot at the right time, having won five in a row. If they take care of Robert Morris this weekend, the Dragons will be headed for a showdown with conference leader Towson. The Tigers are currently ranked 14th in the nation.
"It is a conference game, but Villanova is a rival. You can throw out the records and know it is going to be a battle every year."
Thanks to great defense and 16 saves by Drexel goalie Bruce Bickford, the Dragons dominated Villanova with a 12-5 victory.
The defense stifled Villanova (5-5, 1-2 CAA) the entire second half, as the Wildcats did not score a goal over the final two quarters. Holding the Wildcats to five goals is even more impressive considering the Dragons (9-3, 3-0) lost 16 of 20 face-offs.
"The defense has just continued to get better throughout the year," Bates said. "We've got good leadership down there. The goalie has played great, and we are really starting to play like a unit."
The Wildcats had the Dragons on the run for the early part of the game. Most of the first quarter was played in Villanova's offensive end, but the Dragons hung tough and only trailed 2-1 after the first 15 minutes. After an early second-quarter goal for the Wildcats to make it 3-1, the Dragons came to life. In a quick eight-minute stretch, Drexel went on a 6-0 run to take the lead for good.
"We just kept coming after them," Bates said. "Ultimately, we just kept sharing the ball, and we put the ball into the net. I thought we had a good scouting report in terms of their goaltender, and we got our hands free and shot the ball well."
The Dragons dominated in the second half. Early in the third quarter, they scored three times in a three-minute span to take a commanding 10-5 lead. Bickford stopped all 10 shots-on-goal in the half, and the offense sucked the life out of Villanova by pouring on the goals. Andrew Chapman, Jon Van Houten and Colin Ambler each scored three goals, and Ron Garling contributed with two more. Mike Filippone and Greg Casey chipped in with two assists each.
"Our guys played with a lot of heart and did a nice job pulling away," Bates said. "Defensively, we played great in the second half. Clearly shutting them out."
Bickford had a busy night in goal. The Wildcats out-shot the Dragons 39-26, and they kept pressure on the Dragon defense all night.
"We gave the game ball to our goalie, Bruce Bickford," Bates said. "He was solid. He anchors us and keeps up at an even-keel."
Drexel is getting hot at the right time, having won five in a row. If they take care of Robert Morris this weekend, the Dragons will be headed for a showdown with conference leader Towson. The Tigers are currently ranked 14th in the nation.
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Confused
posted 4/16/07 @ 12:23 PM EST
The name of the sport was never mentioned...
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