VILLANOVA, Pa. – Last weekend Villanova Field Hockey went 1-1 after being downed by Liberty 4-0 in a BIG EAST contest on Friday and defeating Rider University 4-3 in overtime on Sunday. The Wildcats travel to Providence College on Sept. 28 and it will be the first Friday night the 'Cats are not at home under the lights. After Friday's contest Villanova will not have a typical Sunday turnaround, instead they will compete on Monday and host Lafayette.

Villanova will travel to Providence, RI. to face the Friars at 6 p.m. and welcome the Lafayette Leopards on Monday, Oct. 1 for a 5 p.m. contest. Headed into the weekend the Wildcats are 4-5 overall and 1-1 in BIG EAST play.

Providence College
The Friars and Wildcats will be meet for the 37^th time in history on Friday night. The pair competed against one another for the first time in 1984 and the contest ended in a 2-2 tie. Since 1984, Providence has been a dominant figure over Villanova. The Friars currently hold a record of 24-10-2 over the 'Cats.

In their last meeting, Villanova fell to Providence 4-1 under the lights in Conshohocken. The first half, the Friars came out strong getting off early shots, but Erika Miller came up big for the 'Cats with a pair of saves. Lydia Sydnor and Francesca Bello made valiant effort on offense but could not see any shot into the goal. Villanova's defense was vigilant until Providence picked up the pressure offensively and scored a goal in the 19^th minute. The Wildcats and Miller who had five saves, held off the Friars for the remainder of the half. In the second, Providence got back to work and within a few minutes had their second goal of the game. VU had good opportunities but could not break past the goalie. Providence was able to earn two more goals but at the end of regulation Nova earned a penalty corner. On the corner Suzie Clark netted one in off an assist from Riley Dolan.

This year, Providence has three main contributors on offense. Allyson Parker leads the Friars with six goals and 15 points. Parker was named to this week's BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll after scoring the game-winning goal on a penalty corner in her team's 3-2 double overtime win over Temple. Kara Sanford and Izzy Mendez also contribute to the offense with four goals apiece. Maddie Babineau and Corinne Kenney are the second biggest hands in the Friars' goals. Both Babineau and Kenney have five assists on the season, Babineau also has two goals herself. In the net, Providence has played two goal keepers, Lydia Rice and Cassie Kincaid. Rice is the go-to goalie and has played in nine of the team's 10 games. In 611 minutes of action she has recorded 35 saves and has allowed 15 goals for a .700 save percentage.
 
Lafayette College
The Wildcats are headed into this year's matchup coming off a 1-0 victory over the Leopards last year in Easton, Pa. Lafayette started the match with the first shots of the game but could not get past Miller in the net. Although the Leopards were persistent on the offensive end, the 'Cats stayed poised on defense and only allowed them to get two shots off for the half. As the half began to wind down, Emma McLaughlin found Sydnor for a shot that found the goal and enabled the 'Cats to have a 1-0 edge headed into the second. The second half fluctuated back and forth between the pair and although the Leopards were relentless on offense, the Wildcat defense came to play. Villanova got off good shot opportunities, but Lafayette's goalie was able to tally back-to-back saves. In the end, VU was able to walk away with a 1-0 win.

Lafayette finished the 2017 season with a 7-11 overall record and so far, this year they are 2-7 with wins against Lehigh and Drexel.

The Leopards have had eight players score for them this season. Lisa van der Geest leads the pack with four goals, Molly McAndrew and Grace Angelella each have two and five others have one goal apiece. In goal for Lafayette is Sarah Park. Park has played in all nine contests and has saved 47 shots. As a team the Leopards are averaging 13 shots per game and have a shots on goal percentage of .581.
                                                                                                                                                                                    
Following Monday's contest, Villanova gears up for their annual pink game on Friday, Oct. 5 and will compete against BIG EAST opponent, Quinnipiac at 4 p.m. The Wildcats will "Play4TheCure" which is a program that raises funds for the National Foundation for Cancer Research through sports. 

You can help the Villanova Field Hockey team and NFCR by clicking here and donating to their "Play4TheCure" fundraiser page.