Facing Off: The Villanova Wildcats have qualified for their eighth consecutive BIG EAST Tournament and will be the four seed taking on the one seed Denver Pioneers Thursday, May 2
nd in the conference semifinals. Game time is set for 7:00 P.M. MT/9:00 P.M. ET and will take place in Denver, Colorado at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.
BIG EAST Tournament History: The Wildcats are the only team that has qualified for every BIG EAST Tournament since the conference formed in 2012. Villanova last advanced to the tournament finals in 2014, they defeated Marquette 9-6 in the semifinals. The Wildcats and Pioneers have faced off twice before in the conference tournament, with Denver winning those two meetings. In 2014 came the first in the BIG EAST finals and again in the 2015 semifinals.
Last Meeting: Villanova traveled to Denver the first weekend in April and defeated the Pioneers 12-11, this was Denver's first lost in the BIG EAST regular season since joining in 2014. The Wildcats jumped to an early 4-1 at the end of the first and were up 6-4 at the half. Villanova and Denver both scored three goals in the third to keep the game within two. Early in the fourth Villanova jumped out to a four-goal lead but the Pioneers would score the next three to bring the game within one.
Connor Kirst set up
Corey McManus for what would be the goal that would keep the Wildcats up when the Pioneers scored a goal quickly after to push the game within one with just under four to play.
Will Vitton, who finished with a career high 19 saves, had the biggest one of the game off his helmet just with seconds to go to give the Wildcats the win.
A Look at Villanova: The Wildcats are 8-6 overall and finished 3-2 in conference play entering the BIG EAST Tournament. Villanova fell in the regular season finale to Providence in overtime which made them the four seed in the tournament. The Wildcats conference wins came against Marquette, Denver, and St. John's.
Villanova's Offense: Connor Kirst is the leader of the Wildcats offense with 46 points this season, while sophomore's
Corey McManus and
Keegan Khan are the goal and assist leaders. McManus, who has had a breakout season has 33 goals this season, including a seven-goal game against Marquette. Khan who was 2018 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, has 26 assists this season along with 19 goals.
Patrick Daly has started the last six games on attack for the Wildcats and has 20 points in his rookie season. Fellow rookie
Matt Campbell has 39 points at midfield this season, he has scored 27 goals and dished out 12 assists. In back-to-back games this season he netted six goals, earning him two straight BIG EAST Midfielder of the Week honors.
Villanova's Defense: Freshman keeper
Will Vitton has picked up seven wins between the posts this season and in conference play boasted a 10.47 goals against average and .603 save percentage. In the five conference games Vitton averaged 15.8 saves per game. SSDM
TJ Comizio currently ranks third all-time in career caused turnover with 60. This season Comizio has a team high in both caused turnovers 23 and 58 ground balls.
Dan Fisher is 113-for-217 (.521) from the faceoff X with 41 ground balls.
A Look at Denver: The Pioneers are 9-4 overall and finished 4-1 in conference play earning them the No. 1 seed for the sixth straight BIG EAST Tournament. Last season Denver fell to the Georgetown Hoyas in the championship game and haven't won a tournament title since 2015. Ethan Walker leads the Denver offense with 35 goals along with 11 assists for 46 points. Five other Pioneer's have contributed 20 plus points this season including Jack Hannah who has 15 assists and 12 goals for 27 points. FOG Brett Boos is 188-for-309 (.608) from the X with a team high 78 ground balls. In goal over the last three games has been Cole French, getting all three wins he has a 7.98 goals against average and .553 save percentage.
