For the second straight game, the Wildcats are looking to record a win over a top-20 opponent.
On Wednesday, Villanova (2-1) will welcome No. 13 Princeton (1-1) into Villanova Stadium for a 2 p.m. matchup with the Tigers. This is the first time that the Wildcats have played at home this season after being on the road for the first three games.
SCOUTING THE 'CATS
Senior attack Katie Comerford leads the Wildcats with nine goals and four assists through the first three games of the season. With her one goal and one assist in Villanova's 12-9 win against No. 16 Navy, Comerford became the all-time career points leader in Villanova Women's Lacrosse history.
Junior attack Brittany Bruno is second on the team in points this season, having already netted seven goals and five assists. She matched her season-high of three goals on Saturday against the Midshipmen.
Sophomore Libby McKenna was also instrumental on both ends of the field for Villanova in the victory. The midfielder recorded two goals and won three draw controls for the Wildcats. McKenna now has three goals and one assists this season.
Junior attack Julianne Puckette, who is in her first year with the Wildcats after transferring from Lehigh, has already recorded. She is a physical and fast attack who is difficult to keep off the board.
On defense, freshman Nina Mainello has come up with key possessions on the defensive end all season. She recorded a staggering eight ground balls for the Villanova against Navy.
THE PRINCETON CONNECTION
Villanova head coach Julie Young, who is in her ninth season with the program, is very familiar with the Princeton lacrosse program.
Young has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Princeton that she earned while playing both soccer and lacrosse for the Tigers.
In her soccer career at the Ivy, Young was a two-time captain, three-time MVP, four-time All-Ivy selection and three-time Mid-Atlantic Regional All-American.
During her time on the lacrosse team, she helped lead the Tigers to two back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances including the 2000 title game and in 2001 in the national semifinal. During her four years on the team she was a three-time IWLCA All American, four-time All-Ivy selection winner and was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year.
On Wednesday, she will not only be going up against her alma mater, but her former head coach. The Tigers are led by Chris Sailer who is in her 34th season as Princeton's coach.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
No. 13 Princeton enters Wednesday's matchup coming off a close 12-10 loss over No. 8 Princeton on Feb. 22. The Tigers defeated Temple 16-14 on their opening weekend on Feb. 15.
Only two games into the season, attacker Kyla Sears has already racked up a team-high 10 points off seven goals and three assists. She is followed closely behind by teammate Kari Buonnano who has six goals and three assists.
In Princeton's 15-6 win over Villanova last season, the Tigers were led by senior attack who had a game-high five goals. Teammate Kyla Sears had six points in the game and junior defender Marge Donovan had four caused turnovers and four ground balls.
The Tigers have won all three matchups in school history against the Wildcats.
GIFTED GOALKEEPER
After a standout performance against No. 16 Navy on Saturday, sophomore goalkeeper Alexa Moro was selected for two weekly honors.
On Monday, Moro was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week and on Tuesday she was named the Division 1 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association's Defensive Player of the Week.
In the 12-9 win over the Midshipmen, Moro recorded a .571 save percentage on 32 shots faced. She made a season-high 12 saves and limited the Midshipmen, who came in averaging 16 goals a contest, to just nine goals in the matchup.
This was the first time Navy was held to a single-digit score since May 4, 2019 against then-No.11 Loyola.
The win was Villanova's first over Navy since March 24, 2009, when the team pulled out a 15-14 overtime victory over the Midshipmen. Saturday's win for Villanova also broke a five-game losing streak to Navy.
This season, Moro has started all three games and has made a combined 27 saves, recording a season save percentage average of .443.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Live Video (Villanova All-Access): https://villanova.com/watch/?Live=166&type=Live
Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=291468
Program: https://villanova.com/documents/2020/2/25//Program_Princeton.pdf
Date: February 26, 2020
Location: Villanova Stadium
Admission: Free
