VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova will say farewell to a group of accomplished seniors on Tuesday when it hosts Philly Soccer Six rival Drexel at 3 p.m. at the Higgins Soccer Complex. The contest will be live streamed on the Villanova Sports Network and will also air locally in Philadelphia on NBC Sports Plus.
Prior to the game, the Wildcats will honor a contingent of seniors who as freshmen in 2021 helped Villanova reach the NCAA Tournament and earn its first-ever victory there, a 1-0 triumph over Vermont. Since that point, all have made significant contributions in matters large and small to the program.
The group includes midfielder
Jordan Canica, defender
O'Neil Dawes, midfielder/back
Kyle Dixon, defender
Tommy Johnson, forward
Vincent Petrera and forward
Balthi Saunders.
The Dragons bring an 8-5-1 overall mark with them to West Campus, picking up a 2-1 win over Delaware last time out. This is the first matchup between the schools since Fetrow returned to Villanova last November after leading the Dragons to a 9-2-5 record in his only season as the program's head coach. From 2015-22 he had served as lead assistant coach to Tom Carlin with the Wildcats before taking over upon Carlin's retirement last fall.
Fetrow has made it clear that subplot isn't one he is focused upon.
"It's Senior Day and that's what the focus is," stated Fetrow following Saturday's 1-0 loss to Providence at the Higgins Soccer Complex. "It has no bearing on me or where I've been or what I've done. This is all about the guys that have been in the program and spent so much time and effort making this program better.
"To us, it's all about the seniors and another chance to go fight for three points."
Canica has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024, scoring four goals and adding four assists while logging 925 minutes in 15 games thus far. Dawes too has seen an uptick in minutes this season on the back line, starting nine times and registering his first career goal. Dixon also picked up his first goal this season and has started five times.
Saunders (16 points) and Petrera (13 points) were Villanova's leading point producers in 2023 but have been sidetracked by injury this season. Saunders has been limited to four games and 152 minutes while Petrera just returned to the lineup after missing three games midway through the campaign. Johnson, too, has battled injuries in his career and has played in eight games as a reserve in 2024.
As a group, though, Fetrow offers nothing but praise.
"These guys have been bought into our culture and have been great representatives of this program," Fetrow stated. "They've dealt with a lot of injuries, but their commitment has never wavered. I think we'll see the impact their leadership has on our young guys in the years to come. We're grateful for all that they've done for Villanova Men's Soccer."
Villanova (1-9-5 overall, 0-6-1 BIG EAST) closes out the regular season Saturday at Seton Hall (2 p.m./BIG EAST Digitial Network).
