VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova Wildcats (5-5-2 overall, 2-3-1 BIG EAST) return to the friendly confines of the Higgins Soccer Complex Saturday to host defending BIG EAST champion Georgetown (5-3-2 overall, 3-1-1 BIG EAST) at 1 p.m. The game is a rematch of last fall's BIG EAST Tournament semifinal, won by Georgetown 1-0 on a goal in the 89th minute.
As part of the day, Villanova will welcome back its soccer alumni. The forecast calls for a bright fall afternoon with a high temperature of 72 degrees for this matchup. The clash will be live streamed via the BIG EAST Digital Network on Flo Sports.
"It's always great to have so many of our alums back on campus," stated Villanova head coach
Tom Carlin. "As a team, we're just focused on putting in the work and taking care of the fundamentals against a very good Georgetown team."
Georgetown has won its last two BIG EAST matches, including a 1-0 triumph Wednesday afternoon at its own Shaw Field in Washington, D.C. Aidan Roche scored the Hoyas goal. The win moved Georgetown into sole possession of third place in the conference standings, two points off the pace set by the duo at the top of the table, Seton Hall and Xavier.
The Wildcats, meanwhile, are eager to change a narrative that has seen them play well since downing Marquette 1-0 on Oct. 5, only to be edged by the Musketeers 2-1 and Butler 2-0. Villanova outshot the Bulldogs 16-12 on Wednesday night in Indianapolis, only to be victimized by a first half penalty kick and a late goal in transition.
"We had some terrific chances in that second half," Carlin noted, "but we couldn't convert any of them."
Since pouring in four goals in a 4-0 win at St. John's on Sept. 23, the Wildcats' attack has run a bit dry. Nova has scored four goals in its last five outings (2-3-0). Seniors
Lyam MacKinnon and
Viktor Benediktsson lead the 'Cats with five goals each.
The Wildcats have been focused on recovery and film study since returning from Indianapolis on Thursday. The University is on fall break this week.
Villanova has played well on its home pitch this season, posting a 4-1-1 record there. Saturday's duel with the Hoyas is the first of two home turf BIG EAST battles in the next five days, as Nova will hots Connecticut at Higgins on Wednesday at 3 p.m. before a visit to Seton Hall on Saturday, Oct. 22.
"We're in the thick of the Big East season," Carlin said. "These are the games we look forward to and our first order of business is Georgetown Saturday."
