NORFOLK, Va. – Villanova Field Hockey is back on the road Friday, Oct. 26 with a trip to Norfolk, Va. to face BIG EAST opponent No. 25 Old Dominion at 12 p.m. After Friday's contest, the Wildcats will return home for the last game of the season at the Proving Grounds in Conshohocken, Pa. Sunday, Oct. 28 the Wildcats will host Brown University at 12 p.m. for Senior Recognition Day.

On Friday, when the Wildcats face off against the Monarchs a lot is on the line. Headed into the contest both teams are tied 3-3 in conference play and are battling for a spot in the BIG EAST Conference Tournament. Currently, No. 4 UConn holds the one seed, followed by Liberty at two. Providence is tentatively at three until the conclusion of regular season conference play.

Old Dominion
In last year's contest between Villanova and Old Dominion, the Monarchs defeated the Wildcats 3-2 in double-overtime at the Proving Grounds. The first half remained scoreless between the two and a combined 14 shots and seven penalty corners were taken. In the second half Villanova was first on the board five minutes in with a goal from Riley Dolan. The Wildcats held off the Monarchs for 13 minutes until Carrie Sensenig netted one in off a corner.

The two would go on to exchange goals again, first with a VU goal by Francesca Bello and then with a goal by Rebecca Birch. Birch's goal came with 14 seconds remaining in regulation to send the contest into overtime. Neither team could score in the first 10 minutes forcing a second overtime. Less than 30 seconds in Old Dominion scored and secured the 3-2 double-overtime win.

Old Dominion led Villanova 28-8 in shots and 8-5 in penalty corners while VU recorded 17 saves to ODU's two.

This year, the Monarchs are currently led by two main scorers. Rebecca Birch leads the pack with 10 goals and three assists for 23 points. Close behind Birch is Erin Huffman with nine goals, four assists and 22 points. Eleven other individuals have also scored for Old Dominion contributing to 39 collective goals scored this season.

Old Dominion has played three goalkeepers this season ranging from three to seven games played. Kealsie Robles and Lacey Frazier have each played seven games although Robles has started in seven contests to Fraizier's five. While in goal, Robles has recorded 29 saves, allowed 14 goals and has save percentage of .674. Frazier has recorded eight saves, allowed five goals and has a .615 save percentage.

As a team, the Monarchs are averaging 2.60 goals scored per game on 13.7 shots per game.
Brown University
The Wildcats and Bears will meet up for the second time in history on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 12 p.m. The pair's first contest was in 2008 when Brown traveled to Villanova and was defeated by the 'Cats, 1-0.

Headed into weekend play, the Bears are 6-8 overall and 1-4 in Ivy League play. Gina Openshaw leads the team with seven goals and Rachel Lanouette leads the team with seven assists also contributing four goals.

In net for Brown is senior goalkeeper, Katie Hammaker. Hammaker has started in all 14 games for the Bears and has recorded 89 saves this season. On 203 shots faced she has only allowed 36 goals and has .712 save percentage.

The senior recognition for Villanova's six seniors will take place before the start of Sunday's game. The contest between the Wildcats and Bears will be broadcast on Nova Nation All-Access.