VILLANOVA, Pa. – That he netted a pair of goals in Villanova's season opening 5-0 win over Rider has understandably bolstered Sam Nyenka's confidence. That effort was followed by recognition from the BIG EAST (Weekly Honor Roll) and Philly Soccer Six (Player of the Week), also a nice accolade.
 
But as a Tuesday morning conversation concludes inside the Jake Nevin Field House, the junior forward makes clear there is much left to do.
 
"I just want to win," he says. "That's it. That's what we're all working towards."
 
On a roster that features 10 first-year players – nine freshmen and sophomore Fynn Lahrsen – Nyenka (pronounced "yenka") offers both skill and college experience. The Lower Merion, Pa., native, spent his first two seasons of college at West Virginia University before returning to the Delaware Valley in 2025 to build on that experience while playing for second-year head coach Mark Fetrow.
 
"Coming home played a part in my decision," Nyenka says. "I knew some of the coaches from before I even started being recruited. I get to see my family and people I know from high school come out to the games.
 
"But obviously (Villanova) is a great school with a great history."
 
Nyenka and the Wildcats (1-0-0 overall) look to take another step forward when they host Iona (0-0-1 overall), the preseason Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference favorite, Thursday at noon at the Higgins Soccer Complex (Villanova Athletics YouTube channel).
 
"We're just taking it practice by practice, honing in on what the coaches are teaching us," states Nyenka. "We're trying to be locked in with everything we do with our training, film, all the details."
 
From the age of five, soccer has been at the center of Nyenka's life. The son of Abu Dadson and Pam Jardia has been around the game for as long as he can remember.
 
"When the older kids or the adults were playing," he recalls, "I would be on the sideline with a soccer ball."
 
The Economics major's path forward followed the line through various local soccer developmental programs. He had a long stint with Lower Merion Soccer Club, played a season of prep soccer at Lower Merion High School (where he graduated in 2023) and saw success with FC Delco. And most of the time, he was utilized up front.
 
"I played the 10 a bit but I was mostly on the attack, usually as a striker," states Nyenka.
 
When it came time to choose a college, Nyenka found a fit at West Virginia, a onetime Villanova BIG EAST rival now in the Big 12.
 
"I wanted to go somewhere that would eventually help me to become a pro," he explains of the thought process then. "The development piece was important to me, and West Virginia is a pretty big soccer school."
 
After seeing action in 36 games over two seasons in Morgantown, Nyenka was ready to select a new destination.
 
"I learned a lot about myself as a person and a player," he says. "Obviously, I hoped to play more. I watched what other players do, hoping to add some things to my game."
 
Nyenka believes his game has evolved markedly in recent years. Where once he relied mostly on speed, he has added strength and guile to the mix, creating a more dangerous threat. And he seems well-suited to the rugged brand of soccer played in the BIG EAST.
 
"I've added some grit to my game," he notes, "and I like to think of myself as a strong-bodied guy. I like the contact and to show some flair when I get on the ball."
 
The hope is that the fine start can help this inexperienced group – nine newcomers appeared in the win over Rider – gain a foothold in the early going with back-to-back home games straight ahead. A Labor Day duel with Saint Joseph's is set to follow the match with Iona.
 
"When I was in this recruiting process, I looked at everything," Nyenka states. "I looked at rosters and stats. I saw great players and coaches here. There were a lot of one goal games last year when the results didn't go their way. I talked to Coach Fetrow and we discussed what needed to be fixed. I thought I could help with that. I also felt he and this staff can help me get to where I want to go.
 
"Obviously, we're happy with the start. But we can't let it go to our heads. There's a long way to go."
 
Nyenka is optimistic.
 
"The team has come together really well," he states. "It's a great bunch of guys. We only had about 12 guys in the spring when I first got here, so it's come a long way. We've been able to train with a lot of intensity and figured a lot of stuff out. Stuff will keep coming up and we've got to be ready for when those challenges come."
 
In the Rider win, Nyenka started and logged 76 minutes, producing three shots and those two goals – across two days. The match which began on Aug. 21 was suspended in the 18^th minute due to the active shooter situation on Villanova's campus that day. Nyenka had helped stake Nova to a 2-0 lead at that point with his first goal and added another when play resumed Friday.
 
A bit of introspection helped Nyenka retain his focus in what was a most chaotic day on campus that included a lengthy lockdown stretch in the 'Cats locker room until authorities gave the all-clear sign.
 
"I was doing a lot of visualization stuff the night before the game," he states. "Obviously we had the whole situation go on, so I did more of it (Thursday) night. It helps."
 
Even the most skilled scorers understand that scoring twice in a Division I soccer match is no easy trick. And while Nyenka surely hopes to add more in 2025, he also appreciates that there are multiple ways to aid his team in his current soccer quest.
 
"I just want to do what I can to help us get wins," he says.
 
The quest resumes Thursday afternoon on Villanova's West Campus.