In the big picture, Mark Fetrow understands Thursday opens a new chapter in his career as he guides the Villanova Wildcats for the first time as the program's head coach. Yet in the moment, that milestone will be far from his thoughts.
           "For me, it's about the players," stated Fetrow, the former associate head coach to Tom Carlin who led Drexel to a 92-5 record in his sole season as the Dragons' leader in 2023.
           "As a coaching staff, we're just trying to make sure they are prepared and set up for success. Those are the strides we really wanted to accomplish in the preseason. When it comes to game day, it's all about them. We feel like we're headed in the right direction."
           St. Peter's will be the opponent on Thursday afternoon with kickoff set for 4 p.m. at the Higgins Soccer Complex. This will be just the third all-time meeting between the Peacocks and Wildcats, with VU holding a 1-0-1 edge in a series that began in 2004. St. Peter's, of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, posted a 2-9-2 record a season ago.
           "We talk a lot about it's not who we play, it's how we play," Fetrow said. "We want to play a good brand of football and are focused on the aspects of our game that will help us be successful. We're looking forward to the opportunity. Any college soccer game is a hard test."
           In addition to its new leader, the Wildcats also feature a blended roster that includes a dozen newcomers. Villanova played three scrimmages, most recently at home against UMBC, as it looks to blend old with new.
           "I think we've gotten better with each game," noted Fetrow. "We've changed some things up and tried some guys in different positions, tried some different formations. I feel like we've solidified how we want to play, which is important. That starts to build continuity with the players. In the last game against UMBC you saw the kind of possession-oriented football we want to play. We have to be better in both boxes and be more clinical, because that's where games are won and lost."
           A handful of familiar faces remain to help guide the fresh faces. Graduate student Jorge Garcia and sophomore Luke Martelli will serve as captains. The team's top two scorers from a season ago, Balthi Saunders and Vincent Petrera, loom as cornerstones of the attack alongside another veteran, graduate student Branden Johns.
           Graduate transfers Jason Bouregy (Rutgers) and Cole Knapp (William & Mary) are expected to play significant roles in the midfield and central defense respectively. Michael teDuits (Penn) and Colby Raymond (East Stroudsburg) will log important minutes too.
           "We wanted to add some experienced college soccer players, and those guys have fit in well," added Fetrow.
           Opportunity also awaits a group of returnees with less experience, including sophomores Mikhail Zaretser, Marcello Mazzola, Javon Daniels, Diego Valles and Josh Oladele. Fetrow also pointed to the rise of seniors Jordan Canica and O'Neil Dawes along with junior Foday Bangura. Senior Tommy Johnson and junior Kyle Dixon will be in the mix for rotation minutes as well.
           With the exit of Kent Dickey, the Wildcats enter a new era in goal. Sophomore Sebastian Cutler DeJesus and freshmen Alex Yagudayev have waged a spirited battle to claim the starter's spot.
           "We feel best about that position on the field," stated Fetrow. "We feel confident with both guys. It's going to be a battle between the two of them all season. I don't know if we're going to solidify a direct No. 1 because they are so close, but they do bring different aspects.
           "Sebastian is cool, clam and collected. He's a great organizer and he comes up big when the game asks him to. Yagu is very athletic. He's still learning college soccer. It's very different from the MLS Next pro level he was used to playing at. But his shot-stopping ability is unbelievable."
           Following Thursday's match, Villanova will turn its attention to a Sunday evening battle at Philly Soccer Six rival Temple (7 p.m.).
