The 2012 season didn’t start the way the AU women’s soccer team had hoped, as the Eagles fell 2-0 Friday in the season opener at Villanova.
Following a scoreless first half, Stephanie Myers put the Wildcats (1-0, 0-0 Big East) in front 1-0 when she beat AU goalkeeper Charlene Belanger in the 48th minute.
Reanna Marino extended Villanova’s lead to 2-0 20 minutes later, giving the freshman a goal in her first collegiate game.
Heidi Sabatura assisted on both goals for the Wildcats, putting her in a three-way tie for seventh place in school history for assists.
The Eagles (0-1, 0-0 Patriot League) couldn’t get an attack going all day, finishing the contest with one shot and no corner kicks. The only shot came from Carleigh Morba in the 33rd minute.
Belanger made four saves in goal for AU, while Villanova’s Kelsey Quinn needed to make just one en route to notching the clean sheet.
AU will look to pick up its first victory of the season when it travels to take on St. Joseph’s August 19 in Philadelphia. The Eagles only previous meeting against the Hawks came in 2005, with AU earning a 2-1 victory.
ttomea@theeagleonline.com
