VILLANOVA, Pa. – A key stretch of games played at or near home continues Saturday afternoon when the Villanova Wildcats (5-2 overall, 0-1 BIG EAST) host No. 12 Creighton (4-1-1 overall, 1-0 BIG EAST) at the Higgins Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. as the second half of a full soccer day on West Campus as the Wildcats' women take on Providence at 1 p.m.
Both soccer matches can be seen via a live stream on the Nova Nation All-Access Pass at villanova.com.
On Wednesday, Villanova began a stretch of four played at home or nearby with a 3-2 Philly Soccer Six triumph over La Salle. After Saturday's action, the 'Cats will tangle with another Philly Soccer Six foe, Temple, on Wednesday night in Philadelphia before returning home again next Saturday to take on BIG EAST rival DePaul at the Higgins Soccer Complex.
The Bluejays lead the all-time series between the two sides, 3-2. However, Villanova claimed a 1-0 victory in the last meeting between the teams at the Higgins Soccer Complex in 2016. In fact, both of the Wildcats' wins in the series have been shutouts.
Creighton has outscored opponents 9-2 thus far in 2018 and figures to put pressure on the Wildcats' defense, which has been an integral part of its early success. The trio of graduate transfer Enda O'Neill, junior Luca Mellor and junior Shane Bradley have handled the bulk of the work directly in front of goalkeeper Carson Williams. The Wildcats have surrendered an average of 1.40 goals against this season and have been very good in close matches, having posted a 5-0 mark in one goal decisions thus far.
"La Salle really tests your backline," stated Villanova head coach Tom Carlin. "The ability to win balls in the air, shift quickly and win battles is so important. Shane, Luca and Enda did a good job with that.
"All three of those guys just keep battling back there and they're such an important part of who we are."
Another vital piece for the Wildcats is senior midfielder Zach Zandi. The West Chester, Pa., native scored his fifth goal of the campaign in the ninth minute of Wednesday's clash. Zandi's work with sophomore Yusuf Cueceoglu – who now has four goals this season, including a pair against the Explorers – typically sets the playmaking tempo for Villanova.
"Z and Yusuf have formed a good connection for us," noted Carlin.
Creighton moved up to No. 12 this week in the United Soccer Coaches poll while the Wildcats are receiving votes. VU was at No. 13 in last week's United Soccer Coaches poll.
Although this is Villanova's BIG EAST home opener and second of nine conference clashes this season, it is consequential. The Wildcats fell to Marquette 3-0 in their league opener last Saturday night and understand the need to secure points when it plays at home in league play. The good news is that VU has looked most comfortable at home, posting an unblemished 4-0 mark there through the season's early weeks.
Both teams have prospered with newcomers in goal. Redshirt freshman Williams has been sharp for the Wildcats in starting each of his team's seven games thus far with a .762 save percentage to go with the 1.40 goals against average. Meanwhile, freshman goalkeeper Paul Kruse has started all of the Bluejays' six games and delivered an 0.32 goals against average.
Soccer is only part of the Villanova Athletics on-campus lineup Saturday of Parents Weekend as Volleyball hosts Georgetown at 2 p.m. in the Jake Nevin Field House and the football team squares off against Bucknell at 6 p.m. at Villanova Stadium.
