PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Villanova Men's Lacrosse (5-5, 2-0) finished out their two-game road trip to start BIG EAST play by picking up their third consecutive win, taking down the Providence Friars (4-7, 0-2) by a score of 11-8.
Villanova now sits at the top of the BIG EAST standings with Georgetown at 2-0.
Colin Michener starred on offense yet again for Villanova, scoring four goals on the day. Two of those goals came within just seven seconds of each other with six minutes to go in the third stanza.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Wildcats struck first off a Nicholas Lucchesi iso goal through contact five minutes into the contest. In all three of Villanova's wins this season, they have been the ones to tally the first goal.
Providence answered back on the next play, tying things up at one. Michener was able to find the back of the net for his first goal of the game, which Jack Horrigan, the Friars' leading scorer on the season, had the antidote for, knotting things up at two apiece.
Lucas Newton and Michener tallied the next two for VU, helped by Tyler Sandoval and Ryan Cunningham combining to win three consecutive faceoffs.
In a game where all three of the Wildcats' faceoff specialists took turns in the circle, Sandoval led the charge at the center "X." He went 7-12 (.583) and picked up four ground balls.
Newton's goal was his first of the season, also the first for the California native since notching a key goal in the first half of the 2024 BIG EAST Championship that kept the Wildcats within six entering the second portion, where they ultimately mounted a large comeback to take it to an extra period.
In the second stanza, Villanova struck twice from the sticks of David Link and Luke Williams. The latter took his defender from the top corner of Providence's restraining line all the way in for the score.
Denis Fargione held the Friars scoreless in the second quarter, facing only two shots on goal in the process, saving both.
Fargione saved 10 shots in between the pipes while allowing less than 10 goals for the third consecutive game.
Providence answered those goals to open up the third period; however, the momentum did not continue due to the Wildcats forcing three turnovers: a shot clock violation and two caused by Gavin Michener and Tripp Robinson.
Robinson's second caused turnover moved him into 12th in program history with 44, tying him with Chris Creighton, putting him well in reach of breaking into the top 10, needing just two over the rest of the season.
The second turnover in two minutes by Providence goalie Dan Donahue on a pass downfield gave the Wildcats the ball, where C. Michener was able to rattle off two goals in two possessions, putting Villanova ahead 8-5.
With six minutes to go, Providence's Richie Joseph scored, which Villanova answered back two-fold, with Luke Raymond and Dan Martin scoring for the first time on the day.
Rhett Chambers scored his first of two as time wound down in the third; however, VU still held some breathing room, up three, going into the final frame.
It took over nine minutes for either team to score in the fourth quarter, until Matt Licata cashed in on his first goal of the game, putting Villanova up four.
Horrigan scored his second goal for the Friars, but it was much too late to attempt a comeback for the home team.
FAST FACTS
Colin Michener recorded his fourth consecutive multi-goal game. He has scored 13 of his 19 goals on the season over those games and has tallied at least three points in each of them. This is the second longest multi-goal streak of his career, as he started off his time at VU with five consecutive games scoring more than once.
Beau Kemler showed out on defense for the third consecutive week, forcing four turnovers and scooping up seven ground balls. The reigning BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week has 10 caused turnovers and 22 ground balls during Villanova's three-game winning streak.
Jake Melchionni recorded his first career start, causing a career-high three turnovers.
UP NEXT
After this matchup, Villanova will return to The Main Line to face the St. John's Red Storm in their conference home opener on April 12 at 12:00 P.M.
PROMOTIONS
Alumni Day and Youth Day will be celebrated during the matchup against the Red Storm. Villanova will celebrate their alumni pregame and with a halftime recognition ceremony on the field. Register here to sign up!
For Youth Day, any child aged 12 and under will be able to receive free admission to the game by wearing their youth jersey; the complimentary tickets can be picked up at will call.
TICKETING
The next Villanova home game will be against St. John's on April 12 at 12:00 P.M. Individual game tickets are available for the rest of the season; please check here for more information and to purchase tickets for upcoming games.
SOCIAL
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