HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Villanova University field hockey team will open its 2024 season on the road against James Madison on Friday (Aug. 30) at 4 p.m. ET from the JMU Field Hockey Complex. The Wildcats will then return home to the VU Field Hockey Complex at the Conshohocken Proving Grounds to face Sacred Heart on Sunday (Sept. 1) at noon.
 
Villanova will face the Dukes for the second straight season after defeating James Madison, 5-4, at home in 2023. The Wildcats overcame a 2-0 deficit in the second half to tie the game at four with only 5:13 to play and force overtime. Two minutes into the extra period, forward Meghan Mitchell scored her second goal of the game to seal the win.
 
Sacred Heart is looking to defend its NEC Championship in 2024 after finishing the 2023 season 9-11 and earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Sunday's game will mark the sixth matchup between the Wildcats and Pioneers, with Sacred Heart leading the series 4-1. However, Villanova won the most recent matchup between the two schools in 2019, 3-2.
 
Friday's game at James Madison can be streamed live on ESPN+, while Sunday's game against Sacred Heart will be streamed live on FloSports.