Feb. 17, 2017 Villanova, Pa. -
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Facing Off: The Villanova Wildcats will host the Yale Bulldogs this Saturday, February 18th for the first meeting ever between the two schools. Game time is scheduled for Noon.
Series History: Saturday marks the first meeting between Yale and Villanova. This will mark the second straight game this season that the Wildcats will face a new opponent.
Villanova This Season: The Wildcats dropped their season opener to the Monmouth Hawks by a final of 12-10. Despite the setback, junior faceoff specialist Luke Palmadesso, earned himself a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor roll for going 17-of-25. Six different players posted points for the Wildcats, Villanova was led by John Kluh who had five points on two goals and three assists.
Villanova's Offense: Villanova has returned seven of the team's top 10 goal scorers from just one season ago. Just like last season Jake Froccaro leads the Wildcats in goals with three; his hat trick came in the second half of last Saturday's game.
Villanova's Defense: Senior goalkeeper Dan Willis got the start in goal for the Wildcats for the season opener and tailed six saves. The Wildcats combined for 29 ground balls against Monmouth, Luke Palmadesso had a team high seven.
A Look at Yale: The Yale Bulldogs will open their season inside Villanova Stadium Saturday afternoon. Just a season ago the Bulldogs won the Ivy League and earned a guarantee bid into the NCAA Tournament. Yale finished 5-1 in their conference in 2016 and was selected to finish first the season in the preseason coaches' poll. The Bulldogs lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Navy by a final of 13-10.
Yale's Offense: Junior Ben Reeves returns for his junior year, the attackmen had a team high 79 points last season which was the third highest in the Ivy League. Reeves was named a Tewaaraton Finalist and First-Team All American in 2016 and was named a preseason first team All-American by Inside Lacrosse. Senior midfielder Eric Scott finished 2016 third on the team with 36 points on 19 goals and 17 assists. Scott earned Preseason All-American Third team honors just a few weeks ago and was named to the All-Ivy second team at the end of last season.
Yale's Defense: Conor Mackie, who took half of the Bulldogs faceoffs last season returns. He went 92-181 (.508) last season and collected 45 ground balls. Goalie time last season was spilt between Phil Huffard and Hoyt Crance. Huffard saw 553 minutes of action and finished with a .459 save percentage and 7.92 goals against average. Crance played 397 minutes in goal in 2016 finishing with a .526 save percentage and 8.31 goals against average.
