The Official Newsletter of Villanova Athletics
Good Morning, Nova Nation. Nothing better than starting the week after a weekend full of Ws for the ‘Cats!
What all do we have in today’s edition? Check it out below!
🏑 Grand Opening
⚽️ En Fuego
👀 Eyes On Us
🔷 And much more!
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🔼 Grand Opening. Villanova Field Hockey couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the 2026 campaign, going 2-0 on opening weekend. The Wildcats began Friday with a 2-1 victory over Delaware in Philadelphia.
On Sunday, the ‘Cats turned in a dominant performance Sunday, rolling past local rival La Salle 7-0 in Conshohocken. Gemma Lysaght led the offensive explosion with four goals, while Ava Borkowski, Shannon Arber and Emma Foscarini also found the back of the cage.
🔼 En Fuego. The Villanova Women’s Soccer team continued its red-hot start to the 2026 season with a performance for the ages on Sunday afternoon.
Eight different Wildcats found the back of the net as Villanova rolled past Iona, 11-0, to extend its unbeaten streak to four to start the year.
Avrie Nelsen led the Blue and White scoring brigade with three goals, marking the first hat trick of her career. Bella Panaccione was close by in the scoring column, nettingher first two career goals.
🔼 Pickin’ Up A Pair. The Villanova Volleyball team opened up its 2026 campaign this past weekend by bringing home a pair of wins from the Asics Classic in Malibu, Calif.
On Saturday, the ‘Cats picked up their first victory of the season with a 3-1 defeat of Sacramento State and followed it up with a thrilling five-set win over South Dakota State on Sunday.
Campbell McKinnon and Cat Young were both named to the All-Tournament Team.
🏐 Saturday’s Recap: Villanova 3, Sacramento State 1
🏐 Sunday’s Recap: Villanova 3, South Dakota State 2
🔼 All Tied Up. The Villanova Men’s Soccer squad stayed unbeaten and earned a hard-fought point with a 1-1 tie against defending Ivy League champion, Princeton, on Friday night.
After giving up their first goal of the season 252 minutes into the year, the ‘Cats answered with Luke Martelli taking a feed from Karson Vazquez and firing home the equalizer in the 74th minute of action.
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🔼 Eyes On Us. Even before Villanova Field Hockey took the field for their opening weekend, the ‘Cats were already being watched.
Late last week, Villanova landed four players on this year's NFHCA Division 1 Watchlist for the 2026 campaign.
Ava Borkowski, Aimee Largoza, Gemma Lysaght and Molly Zimmerman each were selected by the NFCA as potential players to watch for weekly, regional and national awards throughout the season.
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*All times listed in ET
Monday, August 31st
🍻 2SP Brewing Company Tasting Room & Brewery Open
Tuesday, September 1st
🖼️ Brandywine Museum of Art: The Worlds of Betsy James Wyeth
⚽️ Men’s Soccer vs. Fordham @ 4 pm
Wednesday, September 2nd
🐦⬛ Weekday Bird Walk At The Tyler Arboretum
Thursday, September 3rd
🎶 Jamey’s House of Music: Live Music
⚽️ Women’s Soccer vs. Penn @ 4 pm
Friday, September 4th
🍷 Red Brick Winery: Tasting Room Open
🏐 Volleyball vs. Princeton @ 12 pm (Colgate Volleyball Classic - Hamilton, N.Y.)
🏑 Field Hockey at Penn State @ 3 pm
🏈 Football vs. William & Mary @ 6 pm
⚽️ Men’s Soccer at Princeton @ 7 pm
Saturday, September 5th
🍎 Swarthmore Farmers Market
🏐 Volleyball vs. Arizona State @ 3 pm (Colgate Volleyball Classic - Hamilton, N.Y.)
🏈 Football at Bucknell @ 6 pm
⛳️ Men’s Golf at Alex Lagowitz Memorial (Hamilton, N.Y.)
Sunday, September 6th
🍻 Ship Bottom Beer Garden at Linvilla Orchards
🏑 Field Hockey vs. New Haven @ 12 pm (Collegeville, Pa.)
🏐 Volleyball at Colgate @ 2 pm
⛳️ Men’s Golf at Alex Lagowitz Memorial (Hamilton, N.Y.)
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Have a great one, Nova Nation!
