The Villanova women’s lacrosse team stormed past Cincinnati 18-4 this past Saturday afternoon at Villanova Stadium for its fifth straight win on the season. 

The win improved the Wildcats to 7-4 overall and 2-0 in Big East play, not to mention a perfect 5-0 record on home turf this season. 

Senior attack Jackie Froccaro led the way for the ’Cats balanced offensive attack with four goals and a season-high 10 draw controls in the contest, with junior midfielder Shannon Galvin and junior attack Kelsey Denihan adding three goals of their own to the cause. 

Galvin’s three goals were a season-high for the junior, while Denihan’s hat trick was her third of the season. 

Senior midfielder Hannah Goforth also poured in a season-high pair of goals, as six other Wildcats added a goal apiece in the contest. 

Junior attack Meghan Breen had a season-high four assists, while senior attack Jessica Mucci added two assists as well to the winning cause.

The first half was a complete domination on the part of the Wildcats, as Villanova held a comfortable 12-1 lead at the intermission over Cincinnati (2-10 overall, 0-2 in Big East). 

The Wildcats outshot the Bearcats 16-6 and controlled both the ground balls (11-5) and draw controls (10-3). 

The Wildcats would outscore (6-3) and outshoot (11-8) the Bearcats in the second half. For the game, Villanova outshot Cincinnati 27-14 and won both the ground balls (17-13) and draw controls (18-5). Villanova also went 5-of-7 in free position shots in the contest. 

“We wanted to come in with these two wins so we could control our destiny down the line,” said Head Coach Julie Young after the contest. “Next week we are going up against two really tough opponents so I’m glad we were able to be successful today.”

For the Bearcats, who have now lost five straight games and yet to win on the road this season, junior midfielder Courtney Curtis had two goals, while freshmen midfielders Brooke Kovinsky and Brianna Miller each a goal in the contest. 

The lone assist for the Bearcats came from senior attack Ashley Helmrath. 

One of Cincinnati’s big problems on the day was in the foul department, in which the Bearcats committed 21 in comparison to Villanova’s 12 fouls. 

Next up for the Wildcats over the weekend is a tough road test against the No. 4 Florida Gators this Saturday at 1 p.m. in Gainesville, Fla.