Villanova Univeristy Athletics

• The Hoyas are one of the nations top teams when it comes to corner kicks, taking 7.79 corner kicks per game. That number lands them at the top of the BIG EAST and fifth nationally. Defensively, they are just as stout, averaging a conference-best .643 shutout clip and .500 goals-against average on the year that put them at 11th and 12th in the nation, respectively. 
• In net, graduate goalkeeper Allie Augur is the nation’s leader with a .273 GAA. Her .919 save percentage is second in the nation while her eight shutouts on the season are fifth nationally.
• Georgetown sits atop the conference table alongside Xavier, both with 12 points in BIG EAST action. The Hoyas have 3-0-3 records in both BIG EAST contests and matches played at Shaw Field this season. Georgetown has not lost at home since August 25, 2022 when it fell to Virginia, 0-1. The last conference home loss came on Oct. 28, 2021, falling 0-1 to UConn.
• This is the 31st meeting between Villanova and Georgetown since 1994 with Villanova trailing 12-15-3. Villanova has lost nine straight in the series since battling to a 1-1 draw back on Oct. 26, 2014. The last time the ‘Cats took down the Hoyas was Oct. 19, 2012, 1-0, but they have not won at Georgetown since Sept. 21, 2007, leaving with a 1-0 victory

• The Golden Eagles’ defense is fourth in the league with 3.93 saves per game. On the attacking end, they are also fourth for shot accuracy with a .454 clip. The group has landed 44 of its 97 shots on frame this season with Isabella Cook leading the charge at 17 shots, seven on goal. She is one of seven BIG EAST players to net a penalty attempt this season.
• Taylor Schad is the top point-getter for Marquette with five points on two goals and an assist. She is one of three Golden Eagles to score two goals this season along with Josie Bieda and Hailey Block. Both of Bieda’s goals have been game-winners, tying her for third-most in the conference.
• Mikki Easter has been the primary keeper for Marquette this season, starting in all 12 of her appearances. She has been credited for four shutouts with 46 saves, totals that are good enough for fifth and third in the conference, respectively. Her 3.83 saves per game are third in the league.
• Villanova and Marquette will be battling for the 14th time on Sunday since 2006 with Villanova trailing 2-11 all-time. The ‘Cats have dropped three straight to the Golden Eagles since their last victory on Sept. 27, 2018, taking a 3-2 contest at Higgins.

Drawing Toward a Record; After a draw with Butler this past week, Villanova needs just one more to set a new single-season high in program history at seven. This year’s group matched the previous record set by the 2007 squad that went 11-4-6.

Facing Ranked Opponents: Georgetown is the second nationally-ranked side that Villanova is facing this season. The ‘Cats fell to then-No. 24 Xavier, 1-0, on Sept. 28.

Defensive Unit: The Blue and White defense has allowed just 11 goals this season, the fifth-fewest in the BIG EAST and tied for 60th in the nation as of Oct. 9. Sunday’s 2-0 loss to St. John’s marked the first time this season that Villanova allowed more than one goal in a game. The ‘Cats have a .846 GAA, landing it fifth in the league and 64th nationally.

Road Tested: Most of the 2023 campaign sends the Wildcats on the road, playing 10 of their 18 games away from Villanova. The group built a 2-0-3 record in road games through its nonconference slate before falling at No. 24 Xavier and St. John’s to move to 2-2-3 away from Higgins Soccer Complex.

Welcome to Our House: Sunday is the seventh home game of the season for Villanova. The ‘Cats are 2-1-3 within the friendly confines of Higgins Soccer Complex. Villanova has lost just one home match in the last eight spanning the 2023 and 2022 seasons, going 3-1-4 in that time with a gone the last six home games without a loss spanning this season and the 2022 campaign, going 3-0-3 in that time with an 11-7 scoring advantage. 

Creighton’s Second Half Comeback Downs Wildcats

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Despite holding a 1-0 lead at the break, Villanova saw its advantage erased on two unanswered Creighton goals, falling 2-1 at Higgins Soccer Complex on Sunday.
 
This is the first loss Villanova (4-3-6, 1-3-1 BIG EAST) has faced on its home pitch this season. It is also just the second home loss in the all-time series with Creighton (3-7-4, 1-5 BIG EAST), tying the overall ledger at 5-5.
 
Villanova's lone goal in the defeat belonged to Jackie Richards, her fifth goal of the season. The graduate forward led the 'Cats with five shot attempts, two on frame. Hannah Luke scored the equalizer for Creighton with the game-winner coming from Alyssa Judkins. In net, Villanova's Payton Woodward made a season-high five saves. On the other end, Creighton's Keelan Terrell also made five saves.
 
A handball in the box in the 24th minute gave Villanova a chance to take the lead. Richards lined up for the team's first penalty kick of the season, but it was saved by Terrell. She bounced back in the 38th minute thanks to a ball played from Megan Donnelly. She picked up a misdirect from the Bluejays and sent a through-pass to an open Richards who picked up the ball in the box and sent it past a falling Terrell to make it 1-0. The assist is Donnelly's fifth of the campaign.
 
Creighton was awarded a free kick just outside of the penalty box in the 48th minute. Anja Jestrovic sent the set piece in toward the net that glanced off Luke at the post, leveling the game 1-1.
 
A quick sequence of shots in the 68th minute saw Creighton take the final lead of the game. Lara Kazandjian sent a long shot that hit off the crossbar and bounced off the ground. Judkins raced into the mouth of the net to head in the game-winner at 2-1.
 
Villanova hits the road Thursday to face No. 12 Georgetown. Kickoff against the Hoyas is set for 3 p.m.