The Official Newsletter of Villanova Athletics

Good morning, Nova Nation! Former Wildcat Jalen Brunson was named the 2024-25 NBA Clutch Player of the Year!

What else is going on in Nova Nation?

🤽 MAAC Water Polo Championship time
🥍 Lacrosse closes regular season
🔷 And much more!

Starting Up is powered by our friends at Jeff D’Ambrosio Auto Group, a leading auto dealership serving Chester County and the surrounding communities since 1975.

🔼  Tourney Time. The MAAC Water Polo Championships are here! The Wildcats hold the No. 2 seed in the Blue Division in their first MAAC Championship appearance since 2016. They’ll play Iona today at noon on ESPN+. The Wildcats are 2-0 against the Gaels this season and have won six of the last seven.

Head coach Michael Gordon was named the MAAC Coach of the Year, the first coach in program history to win the award outright. Riley Hull was named the first MAAC Rookie of the Year in team history, she also landed on the All-MAAC Second Team. Ella Mattocks also landed on the All-MAAC Second Team. Adrienne Grimes earned MAAC Defensive Player of the Year!

Philadelphia-based Bagels & Co. features an extensive menu of Brooklyn-style bagels, including creative seasonal flavors, that are baked fresh daily along with 25 varieties of cream cheese. The casual café also offers a selection of made-to-order breakfast sandwiches and lunch options, as well as delicious coffee roasted in New York. Bagels & Co. has something for everyone and offers a variety of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Now open in Ardmore, Bagels & Co. is excited to offer 10% off always for all current Villanova students and faculty when they purchase in store at the Ardmore location. Go Wildcats!

🔼 Capital ‘Cats. The men’s lacrosse team will close the regular season on the road. They’ll play No. 14 Georgetown in the nations’ capital in a battle for the No. 1 seed at the BIG EAST Tournament. The game is set for 7 p.m. tonight on CBS Sports Network. The Wildcats are riding a five-game winning streak.

Matt Licata was named to the USILA Team of the Week after scoring a career-high five goals in his final regular season game at Villanova Stadium.

The women’s lacrosse team will also close the regular season on the road as they play at No. 23 Denver tomorrow at 2 p.m.

🔼 Invite Only. Villanova rowing will compete in the Lake Wheeler Invitational, facing nationally ranked teams including Duke, North Carolina, Virginia, and Columbia. The Wildcats will race three boats over the weekend, testing their adaptability on a new racecourse. The weekend will begin this morning at 9:30 a.m. This will be the Wildcats’ final event before the CAA Championships.

🔼  Omaha, Omaha. Villanova baseball is on the road to the Midwest this weekend! They’ll play a three-game series against Creighton at Charles Schwab Field, home of the College World Series. The Wildcats have won three of their last four games against the Bluejays. The series begins tonight at 7 p.m. and all three games will stream on FloSports.

🔼 Road Trip. The Wildcat softball team is also on the road for a three-game series this weekend. They’ll play at St. John’s, starting today at 2 p.m. The Red Storm sits first in the BIG EAST, while the Wildcats are in third-place.

🗣️ 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!

📅 THE WEEK AHEAD

Friday 4/25

🎽 Track & Field at Penn Relays
🚣 Rowing at Lake Wheeler Invite @ 9:30 a.m.
🤽 Water Polo vs. Iona @ 12:00 p.m. | ESPN+
🥎 Softball at St. John’s @ 2:00 p.m. | Watch
🥍 No. 19 Men’s Lacrosse at No. 14 Georgetown @ 7:00 p.m. | CBS Sports Network
⚾️ Baseball at Creighton @ 7:00 p.m. | Watch

Saturday 4/26

⛳️ Golf at BIG EAST Championship
🚣 Rowing at Lake Wheeler Invite @ 9:00 a.m. | Watch
🎽 Track & Field at Penn Relays @ 9:30 a.m. | Watch
🥎 Softball at St. John’s @ 1:00 p.m. | Watch
🥍 Women’s Lacrosse at No. 23 Denver @ 2:00 p.m.
⚾️ Baseball at Creighton @ 7:00 p.m. | Watch

Sunday 4/27

⛳️ Golf at BIG EAST Championship
🥎 Softball at St. John’s @ 12:00 p.m. | Watch
⚾️ Baseball at Creighton @ 1:00 p.m. | Watch

Have a great weekend!