Villanova Univeristy Athletics

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Villanova men's lacrosse finished out the 2026 campaign with a 14-7 loss to Providence in the BIG EAST Semifinals, falling on Friday night at Anderson Stadium.

Lucas Newton led the way for Villanova (6-8) with three points on two goals and an assist. Luke Raymond (two goals) and David Link (one goal, one assist) each added multi-point days while Colin Michener and Jack Shoemaker (first of his career) both hit the back of the net as well.

Anthony Wilson tied his season high with 15 saves between the pipes as defenseman Beau Kemler totaled five ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Providence got the game's first two goals as it took Villanova nearly 10 minutes to find the twine. It was Link stinging the top corner at 5:21 off an assist from Newton to get on the board at the media timeout, but PC scored before the quarter ended to go up 3-1 after one.

Raymond began the second period scoring by getting open on the interior and finishing a Link feed to pull within one. But the Friars got two in the ensuing 10 minutes and Villanova couldn't convert any looks, ending the opening half as a 5-2 lead for the home side.

PC beat the 10-man ride with a full-field goal to start the third, but Michener answered shortly after to give VU its first second half score. The Friars advanced the edge back to four before Scot Mackie pushed transition and fed Raymond for his second of the day. Providence struck back just a few seconds later off the faceoff, then added more the rest of the quarter for a 12-4 advantage at the end of the third.

The fourth also saw a Providence goal to begin, then it was a good look from Kessy Cox resulting in a Newton finish in tight. After a PC score, Shoemaker put forth the first goal of his career with a laser into the top corner off a Ryan Welgos pass. Newton made it a three-point day with a score on Nick Lucchesi's feed at 1:17, making the final score 14-7.