{"id":267095,"date":"2026-08-17T21:20:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T21:20:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/267095\/"},"modified":"2026-08-17T21:20:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T21:20:15","slug":"kotchs-brace-spurs-9-0-scoring-carousel-at-lehigh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/267095\/","title":{"rendered":"Kotch\u2019s Brace Spurs 9-0 Scoring Carousel at Lehigh"},"content":{"rendered":"

BETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2013 Villanova had a scoring bonanza that saw eight different Wildcats score goals in a 9-0 victory on Sunday afternoon at Ulrich Sports Complex in Bethlehem, Pa.
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\nThe nine goals scored were the most for Villanova (1-0-1) since an 11-0 victory against St. Peter’s on Sept. 11, 2007 and are tied for the seventh-most scored in a single game in program history. The Wildcats have also gone back-to-back meetings with Lehigh (0-2) without allowing a goal by the Mountain Hawks, moving the scoring differential during their current\u00a0four-game unbeaten streak in the series to 18-1 since 2018.
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\nOf the eight Wildcats who scored goals, Morgan Kotch<\/a> led the way with two goals in her four shot attempts. Tea Gambardella<\/a>, Kaydee Amorosa<\/a>, Becca Miller<\/a> and Abby Graul<\/a> all tacked on their first collegiate goals, as well.
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\nKotch brought fireworks early for the Wildcats with a brace in the first five minutes of action. In the fourth minute, Avrie Nelsen<\/a> went charging toward the goal line before sending a pass inside the box that found Kotch. She sent a sliding one-timer toward the net that went past Lehigh’s keeper Chloe Zipprich and into the opposite side of the net for a 1-0 lead. That goal at the 3:28 mark was the fastest-goal scored by a Wildcat since Susanna Soderman scored a goal 51 seconds into a road match at Cornell on Sept. 14, 2024.<\/p>\n

The junior striker needed just one minute and 22 seconds\u00a0to notch the second brace of her career.<\/p>\n

Villanova was awarded a corner kick that Sophia Miller<\/a> sent into the box. After bouncing around, Dez Zapata<\/a> sent a chance that was saved by Zipprich. Kotch grabbed the redirect and sent it into the net for a 2-0 advantage.<\/p>\n

In the ninth minute, a foul was whistled in the box, giving the ‘Cats a chance to extend their lead. Gabby Koluch<\/a> lined up for the penalty kick that she successfully converted, marking the second made PK of the senior’s career.<\/p>\n

Lehigh had just one chance in the first half that landed on frame with Sofia Bollman heading a chance that was easily saved by Hannah Dickinson<\/a> in the 22nd minute.<\/p>\n

By the halftime break, Villanova led shots by a substantial 12-2 margin. Of the nine Wildcats who had shot attempts in the frame, Kotch led the way with three chances and two on goal.<\/p>\n

Momentum stayed with the Blue and White early in the second half with Amarosa scoring her first goal as a Wildcat.<\/p>\n

Isabelle Chukwu<\/a> evaded a pair of Mountain Hawk defenders just above the left corner of the 18-yard box to send a look over to the sophomore at the top of the box. She got a chance off before a Lehigh defender could reach her that flew past Zipprich and into the net for a 4-0 lead in the 53rd minute.<\/p>\n

Villanova’s lead extended yet again in the 70th minute with Ryley Dixon<\/a> sending a strong chance toward the goal. The ball hit off the left post and was picked up by Amalia Cardo<\/a>, punching it into the net for a 5-0 lead.<\/p>\n

The final 15 minutes brought a scoring fury for the Wildcats as they added on three goals.<\/p>\n

Graul started the blitz with an unassisted chance inside the goal box in the 76th minute after Zipprich tried to coral a bobbled ball but was unable to grasp it. It was Miller’s turn in the 81st minute, heading in a chance after a cross in from Meghan White<\/a> to make it 7-0.<\/p>\n

Nearly a minute and a half later, Zapata put herself in the score column. Gabby Koluch<\/a> pushed a pass up ahead to the junior in the right side of the 18-yard box that she sent sailing to the opposite side of the net for an 8-9 lead. Gambardella netted an immaculate dagger in the 89th minute, floating a shot in from well outside the 18-yard box for the final 9-0 tally.<\/p>\n

Dickinson picked up the win with just one save on the day, logging a combined shutout with Natalie Mutschler<\/a> after she came into net in the 62 minute. The Wildcat defense shutdown any shot chances for Lehigh in the second half, outshooting the Mountain Hawks 23-2 on the day, 12-1 for shots on goal.<\/p>\n

Villanova takes over a week away from action before hitting the road to Columbia on August 27. Kickoff from New York, N.Y. is set for 6 p.m.

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