VILLANOVA, Pa. – Game three of BIG EAST play brings about a busy day for Villanova men's lacrosse as the Wildcats (5-5, 2-0 BIG EAST) host the Providence Friars at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon for Senior Day as well as VU's LAX Fest double header with the women's team.

SENIOR DAY SHINE    
The Wildcats will honor 13 seniors in a pregame ceremony on Saturday afternoon, recognizing a group that has won 32 games and brought the 'Cats to a pair of BIG EAST title games. The group consists of 6-foot-5 midfielder James Beeghly, four-year starter David Evanchick, two-sport athlete Julian Glantz, starting attackman David Link, top SSDM Scot Mackie, two-time All-BIG EAST member Colin Michener, three-year contributor Lucas Newton, netminder David Sadasivam, LSM Tate Seeman, captain Jack Shoemaker, versatile midfielder Luke Williams and starting goalie Anthony Wilson as well as student manager Timmy Gilner.

A DOWNING OF DENVER    
It was a sweet return home for Villanova on Saturday afternoon as the Wildcats picked up their first home win of the year with a 9-7 outlasting of the No. 20 Denver Pioneers at Villanova Stadium. The specialists powered the 'Cats as Wilson made 11 saves, continuing his hot streak against the Pioneers with double-digit saves all three times he's played them. George Glomb won 13 faceoffs on the day with seven ground balls of his own and Jake Melchionni contributed a game-high three caused turnovers. Luke Raymond led the way offensively with four points on a hat trick and an assist while C. Michener (two goals), Link and Lachlan Moffatt (each a goal and helper) all added multi-point days. Villanova got out to a 3-0 lead in the game and held the Pios off the board in the second for a 5-2 edge at the half, but Denver stormed back and took a 7-6 lead in the fourth. VU ended the contest with three scores in a row as the defense locked down, and the 'Cats picked up a second Top 20 victory this year.

PREVIOUSLY AGAINST PROVIDENCE
Week three of conference competition brings the league's New England representative down to the Main Line as the Providence Friars descend upon Villanova Stadium. The Wildcats own a 13-6 advantage all-time over the Friars with all but one of those games coming with Mike Corrado as head coach. VU swept last year's matchup with a four-goal C. Michener performance and 4 CT, 7 GB day from Beau Kemler powering the regular season victory before five points from Raymond and nine ground balls for Mackie helped the 'Cats to a 16-14 BE semifinal win. Providence won the 2024 matchup in Villanova despite a Nick Lucchesi hat trick, and VU trounced the Friars 20-8 back in 2023 when seven current 'Cats played.

A FEEL FOR THE FRIARS

• Providence owns a 4-8 record on the year but has dropped both BIG EAST games, falling in overtime at Marquette and losing 15-8 last weekend against Georgetown.
• Rhett Chambers is PC's leading scorer with a near-even stat line of 24 goals and 25 assists while Richie Joseph adds a team-best 25 goals and Matt Lazzaro has 20 scores and 17 helpers.
• Cam Sterritt has started all 12 games between the pipes for Providence and has made more than 130 saves, Chris Esposito is the Friars' main faceoff guy at 54% on the year and LSM Ian Olenik adds 30 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers.

GAMEDAY DETAILS
Tickets are sold online here with this week's ticket allowing fans to attend both the men's and women's game at Villanova Stadium on Saturday. It's $15 to buy a tailgate spot in the A2 lot behind the stadium, and there is also paid rate parking available in the I1 garage located across the street from Jake Nevin Field House. Be advised, on-site parking can only be purchased with credit cards, cash will not be accepted.

The bout will stream live on ESPN+ while statistics for the contest are available on StatBroadcast.