The Official Newsletter of Villanova Athletics

Good morning, Nova Nation! Here’s something to make you smile this morning - Ava Franz’s mom threw out the first pitch, then Ava hit the game-winning home run on Saturday!

What else is going on in Nova Nation?

🏀 Men’s basketball leadership change
🥎 Softball sweeps the weekend
🔷 And much more!

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🔼  Making Changes. Villanova announced it is making a leadership change in the men’s basketball program. Kyle Neptune will no longer serve as head coach after three seasons. A national search for the next leader is now underway. Assistant Coach Mike Nardi ’07 will serve as Interim Head Coach.

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🔼  Three On The Podium. Villanova men’s indoor track and field team finished 19th at the NCAA Championships, with Liam Murphy, Marco Langon, and Dan Watcke placing on the awards podium. Murphy and Langon’s performances in the 3000m made them the first Wildcat duo since 1995 to tally podium finishes in the same indoor event in one season. Watcke’s fifth-place finish in the 800-meter final capped off a standout season, solidifying his status as one of the top middle-distance runners in the country.

🔼  Still Standin’. The women’s basketball season isn’t done yet! They’ve been selected to play in the 2025 Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). They earned a four-seed and will host Boston College on Thursday at The Finn. Boston College enters the tournament with a 16-17 overall record, 6-12 in ACC play.

🔼  Break Out The Brooms. Softball swept Creighton over the weekend! They beat the Bluejays 3-2 in extra innings on Friday behind Kat Gallant’s eight-inning complete game. Saturday’s game wasn’t much easier as the Wildcats battled to win 5-4 in 10 innings. They completed the sweep with a 10-7 win on Sunday after scoring nine runs in the third inning.

🔼 Just Keep Winning. For just the second time in program history, Wildcat baseball has won its fifth consecutive three-game series! They took two from NJIT to win the weekend series. The Wildcats got the 2-1 win on Friday thanks to a Jason Neff walk-off single, allowing Michael Whooley to score. They dropped Saturday’s game, but bounced back on Sunday with a 10-3 win. Brayden Leonard’s third inning grand slam was the highlight of his day.

🔼 Making History. The women’s lacrosse team took down Columbia 12-8 on Saturday. Sydney Pappas scored five goals to put her at the top of the Wildcat record book for most goals scored. She now has 155 goals scored. Emma Verhoest had 16 draw controls, tying her own school record of draw controls per game. They’ll start conference play next Saturday.

🔼  Feeling Lucky. The men’s lacrosse team is back at home to host Brown at 3 p.m., presented by Ardent Credit Union. There will be a lot going on at Villanova Stadium as we celebrate Military Appreciation Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and the HeadSTRONG Game.

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📅 THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday 3/17 🍀

🥍 Men’s Lacrosse vs. Brown @ 3:00 p.m. | Watch

Tuesday 3/18

🎾 Women’s Tennis at Loyola Maryland @ 12:00 p.m.
🎾 Men’s Tennis at Loyola Maryland @ 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday 3/19

🎾 Women’s Tennis vs. Saint Joseph’s @ 3:00 p.m.
🏊 Women’s Swim & Dive at NCAA Championships
🥎 Softball at Saint Joseph’s @ 3:00 p.m.
⚾️ Baseball vs. Princeton @ 3:15 p.m. | Watch

Have a great Monday!