Bombacino and Wetherell score as MU falls at Villanova, 3-2

VILLANOVA, Pennsylvania – Freshmen Alyssa Bombacino and Katrina Wetherell each scored second half tallies, but the Marquette University women's soccer team fell, 3-2, at Villanova on Thursday afternoon at the Higgins Soccer Complex.

The Golden Eagles (2-8-1, 0-2 BIG EAST) applied late pressure, including Bombacino's second career goal, but could not overcome a 3-0 deficit that the Wildcats built two minutes prior.

Bombacino's goal in the 75th minute came from Wetherell, who found Bombacino at the right side of the goal box. The Naperville, Illinois, native shot the ball back across the goalmouth to beat VU keeper Hensley Hancuff low.

Wetherell scored with just 25 seconds remaining on a header off an Emily Hess service.

Ciara Terabasso scored for the Wildcats in the 34th minute as MU goalkeeper Maddy Henry wasn't able to get her hands cleanly on a ball at the left post. Terabasso kicked the ball across the goal line for the match's first tally and added a second goal in the 73rd minute.

Villanova fired the first four shots of the match before Leah Celarek barely missed at the right post on a lefty boot.

Marquette was able to regain possession following Celarek's miss, leading to a free kick for Wetherell. Her cross into the box from just outside the 18 sailed a bit too high for Brianna Jaeger at the far post.

Villanova's second goal was sophomore Bri Austin's fifth of the year in the 59th minute after she was stopped by Henry almost a minute earlier. That save led to a pair of
Villanova corner kicks, the second of which ultimately resulted in the tally.

The Wildcats held an 8-2 edge in shots after one period of play and 15-14 for the match.

The Golden Eagles are 8-2 all-time against Villanova and had not allowed a goal in the series history until last year's 4-1 defeat at Valley Fields. Marquette has now been outscored, 6-1, in the last two years after scoring all 12 goals in the previous eight meetings.

Then-Marquette senior Liz Bartels posted a mid-first half goal and MU held on for a 2-0 MU triumph in the Golden Eagles' last match at Villanova on Oct. 20, 2016.

Marquette returns to Milwaukee to host St. John's at 1 p.m. Central time at Valley Fields as Patrick Reed will handle the call on the BIG EAST Digital Network through FOX Sports Go. Sunday's match at Valley Fields will also feature Marquette's second annual petting zoo at the east end of the Valley Fields bleachers past the concession stand.

Keep up with the Marquette University women's soccer program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWSOC) and Instagram (@MarquetteWSOC) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWSOC). For tickets contact the Marquette Ticket Office at (414) 288-4668 (GOMU), by email or on Twitter (/MUTicketOffice).