VILLANOVA, Pa – Villanova Women's Lacrosse welcomes eight newcomers to the team for the 2025-26 Academic Year. This group of new arrivals consists of a goalkeeper, three defenders and four midfielders.
"We are extremely excited to welcome this talented group of eight incoming players to our program. Each one of them embodies the core values that define our team—Faith, Fight, Family, and Fast" said Head Coach
Jill Batcheller. "Their faith in this program, their relentless drive to compete, and their commitment to our team culture of family and support will be crucial as we continue to build something special. They all bring unique strengths to the table, and I have no doubt they'll leave an impact on this program throughout their careers as Wildcats! The future is bright with this group, and we are so proud to welcome them to our Villanova family!"
Allie Bell | Goalie
Rowley, Mass. | Phillips Exeter Academy
Bell earned a total of nine varsity letters in field hockey, hockey and lacrosse… she was honored with First Team All-New England Prep School Athletic Conference and Phillips Academy Coaches Award in 2023… in 2022 she earned Most Improved Player and New England Lacrosse " Player to Watch"… she also got the Harkness History Award… she is a three year member of the Boston Laxachusetts club lacrosse team.
Lulu Thapa | Defense
Baltimore, Md. | The Bryn Mawr School
Thapa earned eight varsity letters in lacrosse and soccer… she earned the Scholar Athlete Award 2022-2024… was on the Honor Roll from 2022-2024 and is an eight year member of the M&D Black lacrosse club.
Lila Volpe | Defense
New Canaan, Conn. | Greenwich Academy
Volpe played junior varsity field hockey, and earned Honor Roll freshman-junior year, was part of a Greenwich Championship team in 2023… is a six-year member of the CT Grizzlies club lacrosse team.
Molly Hornyak | Defense
Longmeadow, Mass | Longmeadow High School
Hornyak earned eight varsity letters in lacrosse and field hockey… in 2022 she was named All-Western Mass Second Team… is in the National Honors Society… she is a four-year member of the Laxachusetts club lacrosse team and was the 2023 Inside Lacrosse "standout player" in the LWLCA New England Cup.
Kate O'Neill | Midfield
West Chester, Pa. | Archbishop Carroll
O'Neill was on the basketball, field hockey and lacrosse team in high school…Philadelphia Catholic League Champions for all four years of field hockey and lacrosse… was named second team All- Catholic for field hockey and first team All-Catholic for lacrosse … and helped her lacrosse team become State Champions three years…is a member of the Spanish and Math National Honors Society… plays for the Phantastix purple club lacrosse team.
Ava Simonton | Midfield
Seatuket, N.Y. | Ward Melville
Simonton earned eight varsity letters in field hockey and lacrosse…. in 2022 and 2023 she was named USA Lacrosse player of the week and Long Island player of the week…in 2024 she was in the list top 50 lacrosse players in Long Island…is a member of the National Honors Society and Foreign Language Honors Society…. is a member of the Long Island Yellow Jackets club lacrosse team.
Kat Monaco | Midfield
Garden City, N.Y. | Garden City Highschool
Monaco earned varsity letters in soccer and lacrosse… was All-country honorable mention in 2024, County champions 2022-24 and State finalist in 2023… is a member of the National Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society… is on the Garden City Centennials club lacrosse team.
Elsa Landy | Midfield
Conhasset, Mass. | Thayer Academy
Landy earned 10 varsity letters in field hockey and lacrosse… she was captain for both field hockey and lacrosse… received High Honors sophomore-senior year… earned All-New Egland Preparatory School Athletic Council and All-Independent School League… is a member of Laxachusetts club lacrosse team.
