Good Morning, Nova Nation 4/20: When In Rome

'Cats, Fightin' Irish Set To Tip-Off 2026-27 Season In Rome

April 20, 2026

The Official Newsletter of Villanova Athletics

Good Morning, Nova Nation. Punch those tickets! The ‘Cats are headed to the postseason!

What all do we have in today’s edition? Check it out below!

🏀 When In Rome
🥍 Punchin’ Tickets
🥎 Bye George
🔷 And much more!

Tommy’s Tavern + Tap is proud to be an Official Partner of Villanova Athletics!

🔼 When In Rome. Sometimes, it’s just bigger than the game being played.

That will be the case in November as Villanova University and the University of Notre Dame will meet in Rome, Italy, for a unique celebration of the institutions' shared Catholic missions and heritage.

The jointly hosted event will feature a men's and women's basketball doubleheader, along with special programming that brings together academics, athletics and spirituality. 

🔼 Punchin’ Tickets. Nick Lucchesi sent the Villanova men's lacrosse team into the postseason with a game-winning goal in overtime on Saturday afternoon, giving the Wildcats a 16-15 victory over Marquette to clinch a BIG EAST Tournament berth.

Colin Michener led the way for Villanova with a career-high seven goals while Kessy Cox contributed two goals and an assist and Lachlan Moffatt added a pair of scores. Luke Raymond reached 100 collegiate points in the game with a goal and career-high five assists.

🔼 Bye George. The Villanova softball squad stepped outside the BIG EAST for the weekend, earning a split off a doubleheader with visiting George Mason on Saturday.

The pitching duo of Kat Gallant and Lexi Kobryn combined to strike out five and allow just three hits and one run in a 6-1 victory for the ‘Cats.

🔼 Jumpin’ For Joy. The best of three attempts of the day was worth waiting for as junior triple jumper Gina Smith cleared 12 meters in her signature event for the first time in her career. She posted a mark of 12.02 meters at the Virginia Challenge on Saturday afternoon to move into fifth place in school history.

Smith’s showing highlighted a busy weekend in Charlottesville for the ‘Cats.

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

Wednesday, April 22nd
🍎 Oakmont Farmers Market
🥎 Softball at Penn @ 4pm

Thurday, April 23rd
🍷 Open Tasting Room at Red Brick Winery
👟 Track & Field at Penn Relays (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Friday, April 24th
🎭 PCS Theater Presents: Witch
🥎 Softball at Providence @ 3pm
⚾️ Baseball at Seton Hall @ 4pm
🥍 Men’s Lacrosse vs. Georgetown @ 7pm
👟 Track & Field at Penn Relays (Philadelphia, Pa.)
🚣 Rowing at Lake Wheeler Invitational (Raleigh, N.C.)

🗣️ 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!