VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova Wildcats have entered the home stretch of the 2019 regular season. Following Tuesday's pulsating 2-1 victory at La Salle, Villanova has five games remaining, all within the BIG EAST.
The Wildcats host Marquette (5-6-1 overall, 1-3 BIG EAST) in a critical match Saturday at the Higgins Soccer Complex. Nick Mantegna will have the call at 1 p.m. for the live stream which is available via the Nova Nation All-Access Pass at villanova.com.
"We split the schedule into three six game seasons," stated head coach Tom Carlin, who registered his 200th career victory on Tuesday night (101 at Villanova, 99 at Arcadia). "We've started that last six game season. Three of the next five are at home and we've got to take care of business at home."
Life at the Higgins Soccer Complex has been exceedingly good to the 'Cats. Villanova has outscored its opponents 10-0 on the turf on West Campus thus far in 2019. It has yet to concede a goal and sports a 6-0 mark on its home pitch. The Wildcats are 12-1-1 at home over the last two seasons.
A goal by Seidu Shamsudeen in the 88th minute lifted the Wildcats (8-4-1 overall, 1-2-1 BIG EAST) past the Explorers on Tuesday night. Villanova played down a man after senior Shane Bradley incurred a red card in the 70th minute.
"We needed that grind Tuesday," stated Carlin. "We just talked about getting back on track and I think we were able to do that."
The Wildcats lead the all-time series against Marquette (4-3-1), though the Golden Eagles prevailed in last season's meeting in Milwaukee (3-0). When the teams last met in 2017 at the Higgins Soccer Complex, Villanova emerged with a 3-1 victory.
The goals Tuesday were the second of the season for Villanova's Ghana natives, Shamsudeen and Theo Quartey. The first goal came on a penalty kick that resulted from a terrific move with the ball by the team's leading scorer, freshman Lyam MacKinnon. Freshman Gray Ricca also gave Villanova quality minutes in the midfield and classmate Anthony Dragisics drew an assist on the game-winner.
"Every game is big," stated Shamsudeen. "Marquette is our next opportunity."
Following Saturday's action, the Wildcats will shift their sights to a Wednesday home date with Providence. Kickoff for that contest – streamed via the BIG EAST Digital Network on You Tube and Twitter – is set for 3 p.m.
