VILLANOVA, Pa. – A non-league road clash with Maryland awaits Villanova on Tuesday evening in College Park, Maryland. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Wildcats began the October portion of the regular season slate with a 3-3 draw Saturday afternoon against Seton Hall at the Higgins Soccer Complex. Villanova (1-4-4 overall, 1-2-1 BIG EAST) is 1-1-2 over its last four outings, displaying improved play despite a spate of injuries that has left the 'Cats without such lineup fixtures such as center back
Jack Bonas, midfielder
Dominic Cyriacks and forward
Akinjide Awujo (sidelined all season) in that stretch.
Cyriacks returned to the pitch against Seton Hall after a one-game absence and made an immediate impact, soring the game's first goal early in the second half off of assists from
Gray Ricca and
Balthi Saunders.
On the downside, Bonas left the game in the second half, returned briefly, and then went to the sidelines for the remainder of the match.
Kyle Dixon came on and midfielder
Marcus Brenes shifted back to fill the void at center back.
Through it all, one of Villanova's steadiest contributors has been junior forward
Vincent Petrera. The native of Salisbury, Md., scored two goals in the second half, twice giving Villanova the lead. Those were his third and fourth goals of the season. He leads the Wildcats with 10 points (including a pair of assists).
Petrera has started all nine games in 2023 and only Brenes has logged more minutes among the Wildcats than Petrera's 745 (82.8 minutes per contest average).
Villanova head coach
Tom Carlin took note of Petrera's patience Saturday.
"What I was really happy with," said Carlin, "is that he stuck with it. Early in the game he had a header that was about three yards out. He quickly put that (miss) behind him. He stuck with it. He didn't get frustrated and lose himself. That allowed him to stay with it and find the goals in the second half."
This marks Villanova's fifth visit to College Park since 2004 and the 'Cats are still in search of their first win (0-4-0). Their last visit came on Sept. 16, 2019, a 1-0 setback to the Terrapins.
Maryland (2-6-2 overall, 0-4-1 Big Ten) defeated Bowling Green 1-0 in its most recent outing on Saturday night. It is 2-3-2 this season on its home pitch at Ludwig Field.
"We'll be ready," said Carlin. "It's a quick turnaround from Saturday but we've got the depth to handle it. Some guys who maybe didn't see as many minutes against Seton Hall will have the opportunity to contribute more down there."
