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HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women's lacrosse team wraps up non-conference play with a trip to the City of Brotherly Love to take on BIG EAST foe Villanova on Saturday.
 
First draw in Villanova, Pa., between the Panthers and Wildcats is scheduled for 1 p.m. A premium video stream ($$) is available at www.villanova.com. Fans also can follow the game free of charge via live stats.
 
High Point is coming off a resilient 9-7 victory over former Big South rival Davidson, 9-7, on Sunday inside Vert Stadium. HPU held a 6-4 halftime lead, before Davidson used a 3-0 run to tie the game at 7-7 with 12:08 to play. But the Panthers answered back with the final two goals of the game to secure the win over the Wildcats.
 
The Panthers put forth an outstanding defensive effort, as the Panthers caused a season-high 12 turnovers and forced Davidson to commit 17 miscues overall. HPU dominated the 50/50 balls while posting a season-best 26 ground balls. It marked the most ground balls for the Panthers since an April 6, 2014 game vs. Coastal Carolina.
 
Offensively, seven Panthers posted a point in the game, led by senior Kendyl Gardner who tallied three goals and picked up two ground balls. Freshman Erica Perrotta posted a career-best three points (2g, 1a) while picking up three draw controls on the day. Sophomore Samantha Brown added three points on a goal and two assists and junior Leah Pace chipped in a goal, three ground balls, three draw controls and two caused turnovers.
 
PACING THE HPU MIDFIELD
Pace put together a strong week for the Panthers in games against Elon and Davidson, averaging 3.5 ground balls, 2.5 caused turnovers, 2.5 caused turnovers and 1.5 points per game. The Bel Air, Md., native registered career highs in ground balls (4) and caused turnovers in the game against the Phoenix on March 11. Pace ranks second on HPU in ground balls (15) and caused turnovers (8) and is third in draw controls (13) this season.
 
HISTORY vs. VILLANOVA
Saturday's game will mark the second-ever matchup between the Panthers and Wildcats. High Point won the only previous meeting, 16-8, on March 14, 2014, inside Vert Stadium. Gardner tallied two goals in the game while junior Emily Meier added a score for the Panthers.
 
A LOOK AT THE WILDCATS (3-4, 0-0 BIG EAST)
Villanova was picked to finish sixth in the 2015 BIG EAST preseason poll. The Wildcats are 3-4 to start the year, including a 2-0 mark at home. The Wildcats are coming off a 13-9 win at Saint Joseph's on Wednesday. Villanova is led by preseason all-BIG EAST selection Jessica Mucci, who paces the team in points (21) and assists (13). Senior attack Jackie Froccaro leads the team in goals (16) and has picked up a team-high 24 draw controls on the year. Sophomore defender Sam Scarfogliero has posted a team best 14 caused turnovers while junior goalkeeper Jaclyn Fraum has posted a 10.14 goals against average and .484 save percentage in 2015.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will have two weeks to prepare for the team's Big South opener April 4 at new Big South member Gardner-Webb. First draw between the Panthers and Runnin' Bulldogs is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Boiling Springs, N.C.
 
#GoHPU