
Sophomore goalie Cole Blazer stopped 13 shots in his first career start as Marquette dominated then-No. 6 Villanova, 11-3, Saturday, April 2, for its first-ever win against a top-10 opponent.
The Golden Eagles’ defense held the Wildcats scoreless for 29 minutes and shutout the nation’s leading scorer, Jake Frocarro.
"It was one of those days where we were sharper, we were on, and things were clicking the right way," Marquette head coach Joe Amplo said. "I don't think it was a perfect game, but it was a good one.
"I said to myself with five minutes to go in the first half, ‘don't talk to (Cole)’ because I felt like he was a perfect game pitcher," Amplo said. "He was locked in and made some huge saves. He was saved by the pipe once or twice but he played such a good game."
Full postgame thoughts from Joe Amplo on today's win over No. 5/6 Villanova. https://t.co/KUuKTK4OES
— Marquette Lacrosse (@MarquetteMLax) April 2, 2016
The defense was bolstered by a 71 percent face-off win rate by Zachary Melillo as the Wildcats scored the first seven goals of the game.
Junior Ryan McNamara led Marquette with four goals. Senior Conor Gately and sophomore Tanner Thomson scored two apiece.
The victory bumped Marquette from unranked to No. 17 in this week’s Inside Lacrosse Top 20.
Marquette next visits St. John’s on Saturday, April 9.
This guy pic.twitter.com/D7W8KOpF0D
— Marquette Lacrosse (@MarquetteMLax) April 2, 2016