VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova Wildcats climbed to No. 13 in this week's United Soccer Coaches poll. It marks the highest ranking in program history and offers proof that the unit's 4-1 start has been recognized by the soccer community.
Yet the ranking will be little more than a footnote on Saturday night when the Wildcats travel to Milwaukee to meet Marquette (2-3-1 overall) in the BIG EAST Conference opener. Kickoff at Valley Fields is set for 8:05 p.m. eastern time and the game will be live streamed via the BIG EAST Digital Network and the Fox Sports Go app.
"Nothing changes for us," stated Villanova head coach Tom Carlin, whose team also climbed to the top of the ladder in the regional rankings. "If there's any small difference, it's just in the fact that you're trying to accumulate as many points as you can to get in the Big East playoffs. So, that's a different kind of pressure for the guys to approach.
"With that said, it's no different than when we went into Clemson or Delaware or Syracuse in the preseason. We have to approach the game by playing our way so that we're better at what we do than they are at what they do on their field."
Marquette opened the season with a pair of wins, outscoring Valparaiso and Central Arkansas by a combined 7-1. However, the Golden Eagles have dropped their last three matches, most recently a 3-0 decision to Michigan. It will be looking to get back on track Saturday night.
Senior back Enda O'Neill will be returning to the state where he played three seasons of college soccer, up the road in Madison where he attended the University of Wisconsin. He arrived at Villanova as a graduate transfer this summer.
"I've probably played against Marquette more than any team in college soccer," O'Neil said. "It's kind of funny that this will be my first Big East game. I know Valley Field pretty well. I'm looking forward to going back to Milwaukee."
This will be a test of competing styles. The Golden Eagles aim to spread opponents out and create scoring chances. The Wildcats, meanwhile, strive for defensive consistency while developing timely scoring chances often generated from its creative orchestrator, senior midfielder Zach Zandi. VU, with redshirt freshman Carson Williams in goal, has allowed opponents less than a goal a game (0.96).
"It's fair to say that this is a game of contrasting styles," Carlin noted. "It's important that for stretches of the game we're able to play the game the way we want to play it. It is an interesting matchup in that regard."
As for the poll number that has been attached to their name, the Wildcats are appreciative yet cognizant that it brings no guarantees of continued success with it.
"When you're on the outside looking in as an alum or a fan, it's something to be proud of," stated Carlin. "As the head coach, when you receive texts and calls from other coaches and see the positive vibe it creates, you appreciate it. It's nice to see that Villanova is being recognized as a program that can play with anyone.
"On the inside, though, we understand the reality that we're not close to operating at the level we need to be at. This is nice, but we can't be fooled by it. There are so many areas we can get better in. We can't let a ranking influence our focus."
The Wildcats are scheduled to return to the Philadelphia area Sunday. They host Philly Soccer Six rival La Salle on Wednesday and Creighton on Saturday, Sept. 22. Both of those matches will begin at 4 p.m. at the Higgins Soccer Complex.
