Marcus Brenes
Marcus Brenes

Men's Soccer Mike Sheridan

Wildcats Kick Off BIG EAST Play Saturday Against Providence

Friars and Nova to meet at 1 p.m. at Higgins Soccer Complex

VILLANOVA, Pa. –  Five games into its regular season, Villanova (2-2-1 overall) takes an important step forward on Saturday when it opens BIG EAST Conference play against preseason league favorite Providence (2-2-2 overall) at the Higgins Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
 
As part of the festivities Saturday, Villanova will honor its UNITAS organization at halftime. For more details on UNITAS, click on the link at the top of this page.
 
Both of Villanova's wins in 2022 have come on the turf at the Higgins Soccer Complex. The most recent of those came on Wednesday, when the 'Cats knocked off NJIT 3-0 on the strength of two goals from sophomore Balthi Saunders (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and seven saves by redshirt senior goalkeeper Kent Dickey (Richmond, Va.). In fact, the Wildcats have outscored their two opponents at Higgins, Northwestern and NJIT, by a combined 7-0.
 
Providence makes the trip south on the heels of a 1-0 victory over New Hampshire on Tuesday. This will be its second road game of the season as five of its six matches have been played at home on Chapey Field. The Friars played Fordham to a 0-0 draw in the Bronx, N.Y. on Aug. 28.
 
Villanova has been tested early with a rugged non-conference slate that included games at Stanford, California and Yale. Later this month, the 'Cats will host Penn State on Sept. 28 and wrap up the non-league slate on Oct, 25 vs. Navy. It was all by design, according to head coach Tom Carlin.
 
"We stepped our non-conference schedule up," said Carlin. "We went after power conference opponents and teams are at the top of their conference – top of the Ivy League, top of the Patriot League. We knew we had an experienced team coming back and we knew we could handle the ups and the downs.
 
"It's important. If you want to be battle-tested and playing meaningful games later in the season you need to be tested. We're 2-2-1 so we're level now, and we really feel good about that. I think we can take what we learned into the Providence game."
 
The Wildcats used 19 players in Wednesday's victory and that did not include senior midfielder Josh Belluz, who sat out with an ankle injury suffered on Sunday at Yale.
 
"We knew we were going to use our depth against NJIT," Carlin said. "We had the opportunity in the second half to get a bunch of guys some reps. It's an opportunity for them to showcase themselves and compete for spots. Not only are we getting reps as a group, but they're able to make a case for themselves."
 
Last season, the Friars and Wildcats battled to a 0-0 draw in Rhode Island. That point helped Nova secure a berth in the BIG EAST postseason field.
 
"Providence is a very good team, a very good passing team," stated Carlin. "They have two or three really dangerous players that can impact the game at any given point. They're also very well-coached. It's a great program.
 
"Over the years they've had a lot of success. We feel like we know them well. We're just ready. It's the Big East season."
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Josh Belluz

#4 Josh Belluz

Midfield
6' 5"
Senior
Kent Dickey

#1 Kent Dickey

Goalkeeper
6' 4"
Graduate Student
Balthi Saunders

#9 Balthi Saunders

Forward
5' 11"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Josh Belluz

#4 Josh Belluz

6' 5"
Senior
Midfield
Kent Dickey

#1 Kent Dickey

6' 4"
Graduate Student
Goalkeeper
Balthi Saunders

#9 Balthi Saunders

5' 11"
Sophomore
Forward