The Official Newsletter of Villanova Athletics
Good Morning, Nova Nation. We can’t wait to watch these guys go to work this season!
What all do we have in today’s edition? Check it out below!
🏀 Coming Soon
⚽️ Three’s Company
🏊 Opening Act
🔷 And much more!
Tommy’s Tavern + Tap is proud to be an Official Partner of Villanova Athletics!
🔼 Coming Soon. ‘Cats fans got their first full look at this year’s squad on Sunday afternoon as the Villanova men’s basketball squad held off a late charge from Rutgers to post a 77-75 victory in exhibition action.
Devin Royal scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Wildcats. Tyler Perkins added 18 points while freshman center Luigi Suigo added 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots in his American basketball debut.
"There were a lot of positives," said Villanova head coach Kevin Willard. "We played a lot of guys. We played a lot of lineups we don't practice with. It was Nico's first game. The same for Adam, Carter, Luigi. We were on the road in a good environment. I thought those guys all showed good composure and did a lot of positive things."
🔼 Brace Yourself. A career day from Dez Zapata led the Villanova women’s soccer team to a 3-3 draw at Providence on Saturday afternoon.
The result keeps Villanova unbeaten on the year through its first 13 games and it remains atop the BIG EAST standings with 11 conference points, two ahead of defending conference champion, Xavier.
Zapata’s career day saw her log five points on two goals and an assist. The brace marked the first of her career, as well. She has been on a point-scoring fury as of late with at least a point in five of the last seven games.
🔼 Special K. A big day from junior Karson Vazquez led the Villanova men’s soccer to a 3-3 draw with Providence on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Higgins Soccer Complex.
Vazquez notched a pair of goals and added an assist on a late goal from Fynn Lahrsen to lead the ‘Cats offensive attack.
Lahrsen’s goal came in the final two minutes of the game as Villanova was able to battle back to earn a point in the BIG EAST standings.
🔼 Senior Salute. A potent offensive attack was on display as the Villanova field hockey team picked up a 4-1 win over Hofstra on the team's senior day on Sunday afternoon.
Three different 'Cats scored in the win, with Katharina Balks starting the action with her third goal of the season, assisted by Colleen Finnan. Finnan, the senior, then found the scoreboard for herself for the seventh of the season and was assisted by Balks.
Graduate student Ava Borkowski added the third and fourth goals of the afternoon for the 'Cats. Aimee Largoza picked up the assist on her first, while Finnan tallied her second assist to cap a four-point performance.
🔼 Opening Act. The Villanova men’s swimming & diving team opened its 2026-27 season with a third-place finish at this weekend’s NJIT Invitational.
The ‘Cats kicked off their season with a win in the 200 Free Relay. Max Kunisaki, Gavin Peck, Carter Kobielski, and Zach Sutter swam 1:22.74, the ninth fastest time in program history.
Villanova's two individual wins came early in the competition, with the Wildcats taking the top two spots in each of the first two events. Justin Nowicki smashed the 400 IM pool record, touching the wall at 3:53.84. Zach Sutter followed up his teammate's performance with a win of his own in the 100 Fly.
What’s Ahead is brought to you by our friends at Visit Delco, the #1 source for information on all there is to see and do in Delaware County, PA. Find fantastic places to stay, incredible food and drink, and music and art—and you may even find a few surprises
*All times listed in ET
Monday, October 12th
🎃 Pumpkinland at Linvilla Orchards
⛳️ Men’s Golf at SHU Fall Collegiate (New Haven, Conn.)
Tuesday, October 13th
🖼️ Main Line Art Center: Artists Equity: The Big Works Show
⛳️ Men’s Golf at SHU Fall Collegiate (New Haven, Conn.)
Wednesday, October 14th
💐 Fall Tender Plants at Chanticleer
🏐 Volleyball vs. Georgetown @ 7 pm
Thursday, October 15th
📚 Brandywine Museum of Art: Children’s Read-Aloud Tours
🎾 Men’s Tennis at ITA Mid-Atlantic Regionals (Philadelphia, Pa.)
🎾 Women’s Tennis at ITA Mid-Atlantic Regionals (Princeton, N.J.)
Friday, October 16th
🎶 Live Music at 118 North
🏐 Volleyball vs. Creighton @ 6 pm
⚽️ Men’s Soccer at Butler @ 7 pm
👟 Cross Country at Under Armour Pre-National Invitational (Terre Haute, Ind.)
🎾 Men’s Tennis at ITA Mid-Atlantic Regionals (Philadelphia, Pa.)
🎾 Women’s Tennis at ITA Mid-Atlantic Regionals (Princeton, N.J.)
Saturday, October 17th
🍉 Swarthmore Farmers Market
🏊 Women’s Swimming & Diving vs. UConn @ 1 pm
🏀 Men’s Basketball vs. George Mason @ 1 pm
🏈 Football at Fordham @ 3:30 pm
🎾 Men’s Tennis at ITA Mid-Atlantic Regionals (Philadelphia, Pa.)
🎾 Women’s Tennis at ITA Mid-Atlantic Regionals (Princeton, N.J.)
🗣️ SPREAD THE WORD
Do you know a friend or family member who is a member of Nova Nation? Simply forward them this email and they can sign up to receive the newsletter by clicking the link below to subscribe. Good Morning, Nova Nation is sent every other weekday and is completely free!
Have a great one, Nova Nation!
