NEW YORK, N.Y. – Another solid defensive effort helped Villanova remain unbeaten through four games as it posted a 0-0 tie in non-conference action Friday night at Columbia. The Wildcats have conceded a single goal – on Aug. 28 vs. Iona – in 360 minutes of action.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Yagudayev delivered his second straight clean sheet in goal and the Wildcats' defenders blocked seven other bids from the Lions (0-1-1).
 
The first shot on frame of the night came off the right foot of Michael teDuits, who sent a low blast that Columbia goalkeeper Dean Kelliher scooped up for the save in the seventh minute of the Lions' home opener at the Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.
 
A short while later redshirt sophomore Luke Martelli had a quality chance, dribbling in from the left side on a counter before sending a shot towards the net that rolled just wide past the right post.
 
Junior forward Sam Nyenka knocked a contested ball in the box past Kelliher off a Nova throw-in, but the Wildcars were whistled for a foul and the score was waved off.
 
Sophomore Fynn Lahrsen forced Kelliher to make his second save in the 21^st minute and a short while later had another bid that bounced off the right post.

"I thought we were really good over the first 25 minutes," stated Villanova head coach Mark Fetrow. "We hit a couple of posts, scored one that got called back. I liked the energy and the way we were going at them. But after that I thought we lost a bit of our rythym, and they kind of had the better of things the rest of the half."
 
Columbia picked up its pace toward the end of the period, creating a trio of corner kicks. Its best chance to that point came from Joe McDaid, whose shot was stopped with a sharp save by Yagudayev.
 
The game remained level at zero at intermission. Each team generated six shots in the first 45 minutes.
 
Martelli created the first scoring chance of the second half, sending a low shot along the turf that Keliher was able save.
 
The Lions' Carmine Falco sent a shot from the center of the 18 yard box in the 57^th minute that seemed headed across the goal line before back Brody Crampton blocked the shot.
 
Crampton's head flick of a corner kick from Martelli in the 71^st minute went just wide to the right of the net.
 
The Wildcats generated several more chances before the final horn sounded but were unable to punch one in. The final was 0-0, Villanova's third clean sheet in four outings in the early stages of the 2025 regular season.

"There were a lot of lessons to take from this," Fetrow said. "Columbia is a well-coached team that's in the same situation we are, building back after a tough season. We thought we should have had three points but got the one. It's certainly better than learning lessons in a loss." 
 
Villanova returns to the road for their next match, Monday night at Army West Point. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.