VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Wildcats have wrapped up their 2022 fall season and are looking forward to a successful spring under the leadership of Coach Jill Batcheller, and recently named captains Caroline Curnal, Molly Dunphey, and Cara Moreau. 

"We have made so much improvement this fall. We played a tough fall ball schedule and saw a variety of teams that consistently compete in the NCAA tournament each year. Playing this type of competition outside of the season prepares us for our competitive spring schedule and Big East conference play" says Caroline Curnal, a graduate-student who led the team in draw controls, points, goals, shots, and shots on goal last season. "The fall in general is a great opportunity for everyone on the team to play and gain experience against Top 25 teams. We have a roster with a lot of depth and getting more people into games against tough competition helps our younger players get experience prior to the spring season." 

Curnal, who was named All-BIG EAST first team, adds, "I am so thrilled to be alongside Cara and Molly, they are great senior leaders and have bought into changing our culture and instilling success within this program. Together we are veteran players that will hold high standards for ourselves and our teammates at all times. We will push this program to new heights this year. Our passion, competitiveness, and relationships with teammates and coaches are what make us great leaders and positive examples for the rest of the team."

Cara Moreau, a senior who made 15 starts in her first season with Villanova last year, says, "This fall we played against high-level competition which proved that we can compete with the best and showed us what we needed to work on in order to get there this spring. We are going to continue to hold ourselves and our teammates accountable for playing Villanova lacrosse at all times." When asked what she is excited about for the upcoming season, Moreau, who totaled 21 points last season, adds, "I am most excited about another opportunity to compete for a Big East Championship." 

"What I am most excited about for this upcoming season is another chance for all of us to show how good Villanova can be and finally be the team that puts Nova on the map for lacrosse" says senior Molly Dunphey, a vital part of the Villanova defense who started all 16 games last season. "As a senior captain wanting to leave a legacy, nothing would be better than taking these 17 opportunities we are given, cherishing them, and making the absolute most of them. We play a lot of the same teams as last year so it is going to be even more fun going against some of our top opponents and proving how much better we have gotten. Embracing the underdog mentality and coming out hungry, with a vengeance, and a 'ready to fight attitude' is something so exciting and honestly makes me giddy even thinking about it just because of how competitive we are."

When Coach Jill Batcheller was asked about Caroline, Molly, and Cara, she had nothing but positive, encouraging, and praise-worthy things to say. 

"You will not find anyone more passionate about Villanova lacrosse than Caroline Curnal" says Batcheller. "She is someone who truly leads with her heart and has the whatever-it-takes attitude to forge the success of this program. After her breakout season last year, Caroline has come back ready and confident to lead our team in the draws and attack."

"Molly has been a voice in our defense last season and I'm excited for this opportunity for her to step into a bigger leadership role for this team" exclaims Batcheller. "Her determination and focus is shown in the way that she plays every single day coupled with a hard working attitude that does not waiver from practices to games." 

Batcheller adds, "Cara, having transferred from Drexel to Villanova, really understands our coaching staff and what it takes to be a top 20 competitive team. When Cara talks to the team, her voice carries weight. As a player, Cara knows her game well and that shows in her confidence in her playmaking abilities. We are excited for Cara to continue to shine here at Nova!"

Caroline, Cara, and Molly are ready to lead the Wildcats and apply what they learned this fall to their first scrimmage on Saturday, February 4, on the road against Delaware.