VILLANOVA, Pa. – There were goals aplenty for the Villanova Men's Soccer season-opener, notching a 5-0 win over Rider on Friday at Higgins Soccer Complex.

Sam Nyenka led the offensive outburst for Villanova (1-0) to the tune of two goals that bookended the Blue and White scoring, landing all three of his shot attempts on frame. Fynn Lahrsen, Luke Martelli and Gleb Bogdanov also got in on the scoring with a goal each.

The five goals scored on Rider (0-1) mark the most for the Wildcats since a 5-0 victory over Delaware on August 30, 2019, also a season-opening contest.

Friday's resumption started in the 18^th minute with Villanova up 2-0 after the match was suspended at approximately 4:35 p.m. Thursday due to an active shooter alert on West Campus. At that point 17:47 of the scheduled 90 minutes has been played.

The first Wildcats goal was scored by West Virginia transfer Nyenka after a scramble in front of the Bronc net. Graduate student Michael teDuits was credited with the assist.

Freshman Fynn Lahrsen later converted a penalty kick for the Wildcats after Rider was whistled for a handball inside its own 18-yard box.

Once play resumed on Friday, it was Martelli who kept the scoring carousel going for the 'Cats in the 40^th minute. Sophomore Luke Haggerty flicked a pass toward the redshirt sophomore deep in the 18-yard box that he went airborne for to send it into the back of the net for a 3-0 advantage the team held into the halftime break.

Villanova was up 9-6 in he shot tally through the opening 45, 6-2 for shots on frame. Martelli had already posted a game-high four in the first half that would go on to lead all players on the pitch in the contest.

Bogdanov struck in the 68^th minute to push the Wildcat lead to 4-0. Junior Javon Daniels played a quick pass inside near the six-yard box that the freshman midfield sent past a sliding Ben Collins for his first collegiate goal.

Nyenka closed the scoring in the 76^th minute with a helping hand from Lorenzo Avalos. He shot a rocket dagger from inside the box sailing into the back right of the net. He's the first Wildcat to score a brace since Branden Johns against Maryland on Oct. 23, 2023.

Between the pipes, Sebastian Cutler-DeJesus racked up three saves for his first win of the season. On the other end of the field, Collins grabbed two saves for the Broncs. Both Lovro Kostanjšek and Xavi Csato led Rider with two shot attempts, Kostanjšek placing one on goal.

The Wildcats are idle until Thursday when they host Iona at noon. That will be the first of two college soccer games that day at the Higgins Soccer Complex as the Villanova women play host to George Mason at 4 p.m.