VILLANOVA, Pa. – A key BIG EAST match is up next for the Villanova Wildcats (1-4-3 overall, 1-2 BIG EAST) as they host Seton Hall (5-3-1 overall, 1-2 BIG EAST) Saturday at the Higgins Soccer Complex at 1 p.m.
The match will be live streamed via the BIG EAST Digital Network on Flo Sports.
Both sides are hoping to rebound from BIG EAST setbacks suffered last Friday night. The Wildcats were unable to find the equalizer in a driving rainstorm in Storrs, Conn., as UConn prevailed 1-0 on the strength of a goal scored late in the first half.
Seton Hall, meanwhile, dropped a 3-1 decision at No. 5 Akron.
Three points would give a substantial boost to either team in the battle for a spot in the BIG EAST postseason. With Akron's addition to the league, the 2023 scheduling format features only eight league games, down from the prior standard of nine. That makes every league encounter vital.
"We understand that there are only eight chances to get points, only four of them at home," stated Villanova head coach
Tom Carlin. "I think we've made strides since the early part of the season and now we head into October with an opportunity."
Villanova hasn't played at the Higgins Soccer Complex since Sept. 19 – a 2-2 draw vs. Western Michigan – and dropped a 2-1 contest to Butler in its only BIG EAST action thus far in 2023.
It will be Youth Day on Saturday on West Campus as well.
Seton Hall picked up the win in last season's meeting between the sides in South Orange, N.J., scoring a goal in the 75
th minute to snap a 1-1 tie.
Balthi Saunders picked up an assist on the Wildcats' goal, scored by
Viktor Benediktsson.
These teams last met at Villanova on Nov. 3, 2021. The Wildcats locked down a spot in the BIG EAST postseason that day when Anthony Cousins Jr. scored at 88:57. Villanova went on to knock off Creighton in the BIG EAST Tournament, earned itself its second NCAA Tournament invitation, and defeated Vermont 1-0 to earn its first NCAA Tournament win in program history.
This kicks off a busy week for the Wildcats during the University's fall break. The Wildcats travel to meet Maryland on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. and then return home to host St. John's on Oct. 14 at 1 p.m.
