VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova Wildcats (5-5-2 overall, 0-3-1 BIG EAST) hit the road Thursday ahead of a BIG EAST matchup Friday night in Indianapolis against the Butler Bulldogs (07-3 overall, 0-2-1 BIG EAST). ESPN+ will carry the live stream at 7 p.m.
The Wildcats planned to share a team meal Thursday night as they begin final preparation for the home stretch of regular season conference play.
Villanova has been idle since forging a 3-3 tie last Saturday against Providence at the Higgins Soccer Complex. An offense that had toiled diligently to find ways to finish attacking moments, broke through with a pair of 3-goal outings last week at home, including a 3-1 non-league triumph over New Haven on Oct. 6.
Junior midfielder Karson Vazquez, the Philly Soccer Six Player of the Week, netted two goals and added an assist on Fynn Lahrsen's game-tying goal in the 88th minute against the Friars.
"We've been able to do a better job of finishing in the attacking third," noted Villanova head coach Mark Fetrow, "but we've given up too many dangerous chances in our own end."
Injuries have played a part in that. Starting center back co-captain Lorenzo Avalos last saw action on Sept. 7 vs. FDU. On Saturday, Nova was without its other defensive anchor, sophomore center back Brody Crampton, after the Orlando, Fla., native picked up his fifth yellow card against New Haven. That required him to sit out Saturday's match.
Goalkeeper Alex Yagudayev (Brooklyn, N.Y.) has been sensational but the number of quality chances for the opposition has been too high. The junior has made 90 saves thus far this season. Opponents have averaged 23.7 shots per game while the Wildcats average 12.8 shots per contest.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are seeking their first victory of the 2026 regular season. Last time out Butler dropped a 4-0 decision to Marquette after earning a point in a 0-0 draw against Seton Hall on Oct. 2. Butler has produced just three goals in its 10 games to this point of the campaign (0.30 gpg).
There have been 11 meetings between the two programs with the Bulldogs having won nine of those. Villanova is 0-5 all-time at Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl in Indianapolis.
Villanova has four remaining regular season games after this one. It hosts No. 3 Georgetown on Homecoming Weekend (Saturday, Oct. 24) at noon at the Higgins Soccer Complex. The final non-league clash of the season takes place at Saint Joseph's on Oct. 27 with a pair of BIG EAST games vs. Akron (Saturday, Oct. 30) and at Seton Hall (Friday, Nov. 6) to round out the regular season.
