VILLANOVA, Pa.—Villanova (8-5, 3-1) is set to host Old Dominion (7-5, 3-1) on Friday afternoon. The Wildcats are looking for their first win over the Monarchs since 2018.

Villanova dropped their first BIG EAST game after falling to No.10 Liberty 6-0 last Friday. ODU sits at 3-1 in conference play with their lone loss coming to the Flames as well.

The Monarchs are on a five-game winning streak after starting the season 2-5. Four of the five losses have come to top 10 teams as they fell to No.9 Duke, No.2 North Carolina, and No.4 Michigan alongside Liberty. Reigning BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week Marlon de Bruijne leads the team in points and goals. The forward is tied for 17^th in the nation in goals per game after recording three goals and an assist in two wins over Georgetown and Hofstra last week. Fellow forward Sanci Molkenboer has nine points, the duo ranks behind Meghan Mitchell for second and third in the conference in goals and points.

Friday's affair features two of the top offenses in division one field hockey. ODU currently leads the BIG EAST with 38 goals scored, with Villanova a close second at 37. Both sides prefer to strike on the penalty corner. Villanova is currently eighth in the nation in corners per game with 8.38, while ODU is tied for 19^th with 6.92. Look for inserters Emma Schwarz and Frederique Zandbergen to play a big role in this matchup.

With a win the Wildcats will move one step closer to their first BIG EAST Tournament birth since 2018. Game time is set for 3 p.m. Friday, October 13^th at the Conshohocken Proving Grounds.