VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova will be back on its home pitch at the Higgins Soccer Complex on Tuesday afternoon for a non-conference clash with the University of New Haven. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. on Villanova's West Campus and the contest will be live streamed on ESPN+.
The Wildcats (4-5-1 overall, 0-3-0 BIG EAST) battled UConn last Friday at Higgins but were unable to produce the equalizer after conceding a goal in the 36th minute. The Huskies prevailed 1-0.
Villanova junior Alex Yagudayev delivered another brilliant performance in goal, establishing a new career high and tying the program record for single game saves, stopping 14 shots. (Craig Bald also had 14 saves against Georgetown in 2004).
On Monday Yagudayev was honored as the Philly Soccer Goalkeeper of the Week and was named to the BIG EAST weekly Honor Roll.
"UConn had 25 shots, but I'm not sure how many of those were dangerous," said Villanova head coach Mark Fetrow. "Having said that, Yagu had another outstanding performance. He made some excellent saves. Most of their chances came in transition when we were in the attacking third. They found an outlet and were able to counter.
"We could have done a better job of exposing them if we had gotten deeper and limited some of the turnovers that led to them getting out in transition. Overall, though, I thought the guys did a good job handling their attack. We just have to do a better job of finishing chances in the attacking third."
New Haven (2-7-1 overall, 1-0-1 NEC) makes its first-ever appearance at Villanova. The Chargers tied LeMoyne 2-2 in their most recent action.
"For us, it's about going to find another win," Fetrow stated. "We talk to the team about being consistent with our performances. Results are then the byproduct of that. The attitude, the effort was great from the group against UConn. We fell short. At the same time, we played from the 60th minute on a man down yet we created some opportunities. We're going to take that same energy, that same fight, into the game against New Haven."
This matchup marks the second of three straight at home for the Wildcats to open the month of October. On Saturday, Villanova returns to league play when Providence (5-4-1 overall, 0-2-0 BIG EAST) visits the Higgins Soccer Complex at 1 p.m. (ESPN+).
