VILLANOVA, Pa. – After a tough weekend, Villanova Field Hockey looks to turn over the stone with a matchup against BIG EAST Conference opponent Georgetown. The Wildcats welcome the Hoyas on Friday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. for their first conference game of the season and then take a trip out to West Long Branch, N.J. to face off against Monmouth University on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. Friday's game will also be "Wildcat Student Night" where free pizza will be provided for VU students and they can receive bonus points to the MBB Lottery.

Previewing Georgetown
Villanova and Georgetown have long standing history dating back to 1985 in which Nova holds a 24-4 all-time series record. The Wildcats faced the Hoyas last year down in D.C. at Cooper Field. Villanova defeated Georgetown 5-3 in its last game of the 2017 season. VU started the first half strong and scored the first three goals of four scored that half. The 'Cats recorded 16 shots, 10 saves and earned four corners. The Hoyas outshot the Wildcats with 21 shots, made 7 saves, and had 12 corner opportunities.
 
In the coaches' preseason poll, the Hoyas were predicted to finish in 8^th but so far are out to a strong 5-0 start. Offensively, Georgetown is led by Cami Osborne, Ali Cronin and four other Hoyas. Osborne leads with four goals, Cronin with four assists, and the four others each have two goals apiece. In goal for Georgetown, is Ciara Weets. She has tallied 23 saves, has only allowed two goals and has a save percentage of .920.
 
Georgetown is outscoring their opponents 16-2, has outshot opponents 92-52 and has an 18.4 shot per game average.

Previewing Monmouth
The Wildcats and the Hawks do not have a track record as lengthy the Hoyas and Wildcats. In total they have only faced each other 13 times with their first matchup in 1998.

In last year's contest MU came out with a 3-2 road victory over VU in double overtime. Monmouth's goals came from Josephine van der Hoop, Kelly Hanna and Tamar Klinkhammer. On the other end, Emily Cliggett and Megan Vermeil each netted one in for VU. The Hawks outshot the Wildcats 27-17 and 19-9 in shots on goal. VU did come out on top in saves for the contest, recording 16 to MU's seven and in penalty corners the two were tied up at 11.

Headed into weekend play, Monmouth is 2-4 and has had three of their six games decided in overtime. Offensively, Monmouth is led by seven Hawks. Kelly Hanna is the Hawks main contributor on offense and has three goals on the season. Six other individuals have a single goal so far, but Georgia Garden Bachop, Annick van Lange, and Elyssa Okken each have one goal and one assist. Josephine van der Hoop also contributes to the offense with two assists. On the other end of the field, goalkeeper Gabi Millan has played in every minute this season and has recorded 31 saves with a save percentage of .705.

Overall, Monmouth has taken 61 shots, 28 of which have been on goal and their opponents have taken 90 shots, 46 that have been on goal.  

Friday the Hawks will travel to Princeton, N.J. to face #5 Princeton at 4 p.m. before gearing up to host the Wildcats.

The game between Villanova and Georgetown will be broadcast live on Nova Nation All Access.