CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. – The Villanova University field hockey team is set to face No. 19-ranked Temple on Friday (Oct. 25) and Fairfield on Sunday (Oct. 27) at the Conshohocken Proving Grounds to conclude the 2024 home schedule. Friday's game will begin at 1 p.m. while Sunday's game will begin at noon following a senior day ceremony. Both games will be streamed live on FloSports.
 
The Wildcats (7-7, 2-3 BIG EAST) come into the weekend looking to get back on track after losing four of their last five games. The slump comes in a difficult stretch of Villanova's schedule, with three of its last five opponents ranked in the top 20.
 
Even against challenging opponents, the Blue and White have gotten solid play out of their sophomore goalkeeper, Maddi Sears. In her last three games, Sears has tallied 15 saves and allowed just four goals. The Avondale, Pa. native was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the second consecutive week on Tuesday (Oct. 22) for her exceptional play.
 
The No. 19-ranked Owls (9-5, 4-1 BIG EAST) have had a meteoric rise into the rankings behind a seven-game win streak that included wins over No. 18 Liberty and Old Dominion. However, Temple's win streak was snapped on Sunday (Oct. 20) after a 2-1 overtime loss to Lafayette. The Owls are led by senior Tess Muller, who has a team-leading 16 points behind six goals and four assists.
 
Historically, the Wildcats are 8-19 against Temple but are 5-6 in their last 11 matchups against the Owls. Most recently, Temple defeated Villanova 4-0 in the 2023 season (Oct. 20, 2023).
 
Fairfield (9-5, 5-1 NEC) is currently tied for the lead in the NEC and enter the weekend having won seven in a row. The Stags have not allowed a goal in four straight games. Fairfield is led by two strong goalkeepers – Payton Rahn and Emily Streib – who are holding opponents to just 1.29 goals per game.
 
Villanova holds a 4-7 record against Fairfield, and most recently fell to the Stags in overtime in 2023 (2-1, Sept. 24, 2023).
 
Four seniors will be honored on Sunday for Villanova's senior day: midfielders Anne Drabbe, Emma Schwarz and Raina Smolij, as well as goalkeeper Emma Leppert.