GVS Gets the Double Over Villanova

January 29, 2026

Tuesday, 27-Jan-26

Cate GVS 6 – 5 Villanova

Saves: Mimi Power (9)

Assists: Nika Iverson, Lauren Hubbs, Fiona Pan (x2), Violet Guilbert-Neal, Precious Adjei

Goals: Precious Adjei (10th min, 21st, 25th, 39th), Fiona Pan (53rd min), Nika Iverson (68th min)

I thought I’d hold off on the Villanova write-ups until both games had been played, wrapping them up as a double-header with a neat bow.  But Saturday’s romp was not repeated on Tuesday.  Villanova had several players on the field this time that were apparently not available on Saturday, and two with significant talent. It took us 3 minutes to adjust (to the players, to the long grass, and to the trapezoidal shape of the field).  And in those 3 minutes, they scored 3 goals against us! Kickoff. Goal. Kickoff. Goal. Kickoff. Goal.  It was surprising and silencing.  Fortunately, in the fourth minute, we sorted a few things out and began a direct attack with through balls, central lofted passes over the top, and lots of distribution to outside midfielders Nika Iverson and Claire Chan.  While the Villanova team had two superstars, we had a whole host of strategies, a dynamic defense, and serious speed up top.  So goals were scored on the other end of the… diagonal field.  In particular, there was one really beautiful lofted pass from Fiona that dropped precicely in front of Precious’s run and allowed her a one-on-one with the keeper, which she finished with confidence.  In the second half, we adjusted our defensive shape and stuck Sierra Montoya on Villanova’s goal-scorer.  Sierra was incredible.  She anticipated passes, marked tightly, tackled with strength, and generally frustrated the heck out of #5.  Number 5 did score one goal in the second half, a stunning, bending cross-shot in the upper V, but fortunately we had enough of a cushion to handle it after five goals from the heavily marked Precious, a left footed finish from Nika, and a drive from Fiona.  Obviously Precious had an amazing game that included a hat-trick within 15 minutes, but what makes it even better was the way she handled the second half, focusing on ball distribution and creating space for her teammates by dragging her marking posse away from the center of the field.  Still, we were excited to hear the final whistle, given the game’s complete unpredictability, and headed off to Goleta to see an amazing performance by the US Women’s National Team. The USWNT played at UCSB last night against Chile and the venue was so wonderful – at one point I was 3 yards away from Trinity Rodman as she ran up the right side.  Seeing that level of strength and ability was really special.  So now we are tired, but enthused, and looking forward to our final home game against Foothill Tech on Thursday at 3pm, where we will get a chance to give special recognition to our seniors: Lauren Hubbs, Tania Molina, Nika Iverson, Coco Kliman, and Claire Bianchi.  

Saturday, 24-Jan-26

Cate GVS 7 – 0 Villanova

Saves: Mimi Power (5), Kirra Tanaka (1)

Assists: Nika Iverson, Claire Bianchi, Precious Adjei, Harper Bishop, Fiona Pan (x2), Lauren Hubbs

Goals: Precious Adjei (7th min, 10th, 45th, 49th, 64th), Fiona Pan (42nd), Claire Bianchi (70th)

Passing Leader: Fiona Pan (18)

This game was fun and relaxed on a beautiful Saturday!  We will take it.  Everyone got plenty of minutes and we were able to focus on our possession game, especially in the second half.