Seated in the shade of the visiting team bench area on a sunny morning recently at the Higgins Soccer Complex, senior Vincent Petrera finds himself thinking back to his first August at Villanova, in 2020.
"Even though it's my fourth year here, it's kind of like my freshman year," says the forward whose five goals last season tied classmate Balthi Saunders for the team lead in 2023. "We have a new coach, obviously, and it feels like a new team. We're getting the hang of things with new teammates and building chemistry is at the forefront of our minds right now."
The 2024 fall season does loom as a new chapter in the program's history with former associate head coach Mark Fetrow now at the helm after a successful season in charge at Drexel University (9-2-5). Fetrow took over following the retirement of Tom Carlin last fall after 16 seasons. What's more, the roster now features 12 student-athletes who will be donning the Blue and White for the first time when the regular season opens on Thursday, Aug. 22 vs. St. Peters at Higgins.
In a lot of ways, it's a new day. But the standard is rooted in habits and a commitment that has been forged over the past decade. Petrera understands the value that perspective can bring to a roster with so many fresh faces.
"The biggest pieces with leadership are off the field," he states. "We're kind of introducing the newer guys to the way that we do things on campus, whether that be getting gear, eating meals or cleaning up after ourselves. After that, where I think it's seen a little bit more easily by players, is the on the field piece. A few of us older guys – myself, Jorge (Garcia), Balthi – are just trying to encourage the guys when they make a mistake out there. We're just trying to stay vocal the whole game."
Petrera's path to Villanova can be traced back to his earliest days in Saulsbury, Md. in not far from the Delaware border. As a youth he sampled a range of sports that also included basketball and lacrosse. As he approached eighth grade, he and his parents, Pasquale and Kathleen Petrera, felt it was time to zero in on a single sport with an eye towards possibly earning a place on a travel soccer side.
"It was a big commitment," says Petrera now, "because it meant shutting off those other avenues of my life, but I think it was completely the right decision because it led me here to Villanova."
With each passing season, Petrera's game expanded just a bit further. At first that meant traveling over the bridge to Arundel. From there, he earned a spot with Maryland United and eventually to Baltimore Armour in MLS next.
"I just kind of saw that as I progressed through each level," he notes, "my skills kind of progressed as well. I realized that if I pushed myself to play at the highest level possible it would lead me to the (best) results."
Fueling Petrera's rise was his knack for scoring goals, the most precious commodity at every level of the sport.
"I've always played up front," he states. "Ever since I can remember, I've scored goals."
As he began to consider college, Petrera sought to locate a school that offered strong academics with quality soccer. Villanova delivered both and it didn't hurt that older brothers Matteo and Patrick Petrera had preceded him as students at the school.
"I would come up and see the campus," he states. "Even back when I was in middle school and high school, it almost felt like a home to me. When I came on my official visit with Coach Fetrow, it almost felt like a dream. I just knew that it was the right place for me."
As he entered Villanova, the University was still grappling with the impact of COVID-19 in 2020.
"It was a little strange," states Petrera. "We weren't really sure what to expect."
Thankfully, the season went off without a hitch and turned into something magical for the Wildcats, who recorded the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history in November, a 1-0 win at Vermont. Petrera appeared in 12 games that season, earning one start.
"It was an amazing time," he says. "That was one of the closest groups that I have been a part of. The win that put us through to the Big East Tournament against Seton Hall was one of the great memories I have. It's something I would love to recreate with the guys on this team."
In the past two seasons, Petrera's role has expanded. In 2023, his rise and a series of injuries to other forwards – including one in an August scrimmage that sidelined stalwart Akinjide Awujo for the season – helped turn him into something of an ironman (82.6 minutes per game at forward). He responded by netting five goals and adding three assists.
"With that responsibility you have to work a lot harder than you did before," Petrera notes. "It's not this idea that you are going out there to reap the rewards. I learned that if I want to get more chances I have to work twice as hard as I normally do. It's showing up in the right places and building these connections with our midfielders and wingers early so that when the season does come, it's almost like second nature."
That is where the current focus lies. There is also a comfort level with his new head coach that he appreciates.
"I was really happy when Fetrow came back," states Petrera. "I've always loved his style of coaching. This year he's implemented a strong disciplined push for winning. This desire to win is completely based around having a team aspect and approach to winning games. We're not relying on a single player or maybe on our talent. We're relying on our system and each guy within it."
For Fetrow and his staff, Petrera looms as a vital ingredient as the Wildcats look to create consistent offensive production to complement a defense that has long served as this program's backbone.
"Vincent is a big piece of our attack," notes the Wildcats' head coach. "He is back healthier than ever. We will rely on him to stretch the game, retain possessions and be clinical in the final actions of the attack.
"He has an important job to create and score goals, but he is prepared and ready to carry that responsibility as a senior. He will lead by example on the field through tireless work and commitment to the team."
When his days of competitive soccer conclude, Petrera hopes to put the Biology degree he is on track to complete next year to good use. Medical school may be an option at some point down the road.
"Right now I'm focused on soccer while I can still play," he states, "and then I'll likely do a gap year to do some research."
The Wildcats will host their final preseason scrimmage later this week at the Higgins Soccer Complex against UMBC (4 p.m. kickoff). Then, on Thursday, Aug. 22, the regular season begins with a home match vs. St. Peter's.
Petrera adds a final thought about the season ahead.
"A big driving factor for me this season is my grandmother, Nana (Joyce Boyle), who has always been my biggest supporter," he states.
