Dec. 5, 2011
BALTIMORE, Md. - In their annual preseason kickoff publication, the Villanova Wildcats have earned a No. 10 preseason ranking as determined by Inside Lacrosse's Face-Off Yearbook, released late last week. The Wildcats look to return to the NCAA postseason after earning their first-ever at-large berth to the tournament and completing one of their most successful seasons in history in 2011.
In addition to a top-10 national ranking, senior co-captain Kevin Cunningham (Garden City, N.Y.) has been named one of ten "Players to Watch" for the USILA Enners Award and the Tewaaraton Trophy, given to the top collegiate player in Division I. Cunningham was also listed as a Second Team Preseason All-American and a Preseason All-Conference selection. Joining Cunningham on the Preseason All-Conference list were seniors Matt Bell (Severna Park, Md.) and Chris Creighton (West Chester, Pa.), both of whom were named Second Team All-BIG EAST selections at the conclusion of the 2011 season.
The Wildcats were also named the seventh best attack unit in the nation, led by Cunningham, juniors Nick Doherty (Bernardsville, N.J.), Will Casertano (Millbrook, N.Y.) and Jack Rice (Baltimore, Md.) and sophomore Kevin O'Neil (Cockeysville, Md.).
Villanova will open the 2012 season on Saturday, Feb. 18th vs. Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pa. and will also host the inaugural BIG EAST Tournament on May 3rd and 5th in Villanova Stadium.
