CHICAGO, Ill. – Villanova looks to close out its 2023 regular season with an upbeat note when it visits UIC Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. eastern time here.
 
This non-league was a late addition to the Wildcats' schedule after a planned date with a different opponent in August fell through after the original slate was set.
 
The Wildcats (1-7-7 overall, 1-4-3 BIG EAST) earned a draw in the first stop on its visit to Chicago on Saturday at DePaul's Wish Field on the north side of the city. Villanova's hopes for a berth in the 2023 BIG EAST Tournament – which gets underway Saturday at campus sites – were extinguished when Seton Hall picked up a 1-0 win over Providence to secure the eighth slot in the field.
 
"Even though we didn't get the result we were hoping for, we represent Villanova University and this program," said Villanova head coach Tom Carlin. "This group has persevered through injuries and battled every step of the way. We aren't where we would like to be, but the effort and determination have been there throughout."
 
The Wildcats have played without forwards Akinjide Awujo and Luke Pompliano all season after both suffered injuries in the preseason. Center back and team captain has missed most of October with an injury after a stellar start to the campaign.
 
The Flames (9-4-3 overall, 4-2-2 Missouri Valley Conference) posted a 2-0 victory over Northern Illinois on Friday night. UIC and Villanova have faced two common foes. The Flames downed NJIT 3-1 on Aug. 24 and lost to DePaul 3-1 on Oct. 4. The 'Cats fell to NJIT 4-1 on Aug. 31 and then picked up a point Saturday against the Blue Demons.
 
The Wildcats have seen their rookie class take on larger roles as the season has reached its latter stages.
 
With an assist Saturday, freshman Belmar Joseph now ranks fourth on the Wildcats in points (seven) with a goal and five assists. Luke Martelli has drawn four starting assignments and added an assist on the first career goal of O'Neil Dawes career on Saturday. Diego Valles made the play that resulted in Balthi Saunders' second half goal in last week's 1-1 draw with Army West Point.
 
Saunders and Vincent Petrera, both juniors, lead Villanova with five goals apiece.