Villanova women's soccer defeated Columbia 2-0 on Friday, Aug. 28, at Rocco B. Commisso Stadium in New York. The win completed a three-game road swing and moved the Wildcats to 2-0-1 on the season.

Senior Baker headed in her first career goal off a corner kick from Gabby Koluch within the opening 21 minutes. Sophomore forward Avrie Nelsen doubled the lead early in the second half, finishing a through ball from Morgan Kotch into a wide-open net from six yards out.

The result extended Villanova's shutout streak to three straight games. The Wildcats have not allowed a goal in 367 minutes spanning this season and the end of last year's campaign.

Graduate goalkeeper Hannah Dickinson made three saves to earn the clean sheet. She now has 16 career shutouts, one shy of tying Lynn McHale for fourth on the program's all-time list.

"This is a very, very organized Columbia team. They don't give up a lot goals," head coach Samar Azem told Villanova Athletics. "For us to come out and score two goals on them, we had an 11-day break and sometimes that can take you out of rhythm. I thought the team handled everything so well to come out on the road, to get three points, to get two goals."

Azem's squad controlled play throughout, outshooting Columbia 13-12 and holding a 7-3 edge in shots on goal. Kotch led all Wildcats with four shot attempts.

Dickinson's biggest moment came shortly after Baker's opener. Columbia's Evelyn Javers made a dangerous run into the box and fired a one-timer that the fifth-year netminder stopped with a sliding save. In the 88th minute, Gabby Chan tested Dickinson from the top of the penalty area, but the keeper held firm.

The Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year entered the season on the United Soccer Coaches Goalkeepers to Watch List. After the season-opening 0-0 draw at Syracuse on Aug. 13, Azem called his team "a very, very hungry group." Three games in, Villanova has three shutouts.

The Wildcats return to the Main Line on Sunday, Aug. 30, for their home opener against Iona at Higgins Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.