VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova will welcome back its soccer alumni Saturday as part of a Homecoming Weekend match with No. 3 Georgetown. Kickoff is set for 12:05 p.m. as part of a packed fall Saturday on campus that includes home Swimming & Diving (11 a.m.), Football (3:30 p.m.) and Volleyball (7 p.m.) games.
This BIG EAST soccer clash will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Aaron Hook and Michael Marcantonini on the call.
The Wildcats (5-6-2 overall, 0-4-1 BIG EAST) are gearing up for the homestretch of the regular season schedule, hoping to recapture some of the momentum they had built in the early weeks of the campaign in August and September. This is only Nova's second match in 14 days. The Wildcats dropped a 2-1 decision at Butler on Oct. 16 where they struggled to gain any footing in the first 45 minutes of the match.
"We just didn't execute very well and got down by two goals," said Villanova head coach Mark Fetrow.
A series of significant injuries have taken a toll. Center back Lorenzo Avalos was lost to injury on Sept. 7 against FDU and hasn't appeared since. That has taxed a defense in front of goalkeeper Alex Yagudayev that has surrendered five goals in its last two contests.
Co-captain Luke Martelli has been a source of energy for the Wildcats. The native of Kinzers, Pa., has scored a point in each of the Wildcats last three games. The midfielder leads the Wildcats in scoring with four goals, four assists and 12 points.
Forward Fynn Lahrsen dealt with an injury issue earlier in the month that limited him to 30 minutes of action at Butler. The native of Frankfurt, Germany is tied with Martelli for the team lead in goals with four.
Georgetown poses a formidable opponent.
The Hoyas (12-1-1 overall, 5-0-0 BIG EAST) downed Seton Hall 4-0 and Pitt 6-1 in their two most recent outings. Georgetown has conceded only two goals in 450 minutes of BIG EAST regular season action thus far in 2026.
Last season, the Wildcats earned a 3-3 draw against the Hoyas at Georgetown. They are searching for their first victory over Georgetown since 2007 (0-16-2).
Alumni stretching back to the program's beginnings in the 1960s are expected to be in attendance Saturday.
"We are so appreciative of all the contributions those former players have made to this program," Fetrow said. "I look forward to seeing some of them on Saturday."
