After a fourth-place finish in the Big East conference last spring, the Villanova women’s lacrosse team is gearing up for its upcoming season. Head coach Jill Batcheller brought on 13 new recruits to this year’s roster along with a transfer student. On Saturday, Feb. 3 the Wildcats hosted Delaware in a scrimmage at Villanova stadium.
“It was our first full scrimmage not to play against each other,” junior attacker Sydney Pappas said. “It was really fun seeing the freshman play in their first collegiate game and just try out all new things on the offensive end.”
During the 2023 spring season, the ‘Cats went 11-6, the most single season wins in program history. The ‘Cats had a record of 3-3 in the Big East conference. Last season, midfielders Elena Torres and Bella Piselli redshirted their freshman year and will now be playing their first years of eligibility. Coach Batcheller lost 7 starters to graduation but is ending up with one of the biggest rookie classes to date for the 2024 season.
“We have 14 new members on the team and I think they have really become accustomed to our style of play and added to the speed of our game,” Coach Batcheller said. “I think they are doing a really great job,”
In her sophomore year, Pappas was the All-Big East Co-Attacker of the Year and was named to the IWLCA Mid-Atlantic Region Second Team and All-Big East First Team. Pappas was the leading goal scorer for the ‘Cats last spring, accumulating 52 for the ’23 season.
“This year’s such an important year, especially with new players on the field” Pappas said. We also have a lot of older players and just keep up all the hard work we put into it.”
Recent graduate and attacker Caroline Curnal achieved 155 draw controls in her final year at Villanova. Senior Attacker Kayla Gulmi had 30 assists for the ‘Cats which made the New York native the top assister on the team.
Cara Moreau is the Wildcats’ team captain for 2024. Moreau is an attacker from Far Hills, New Jersey. She is playing her third season at Villanova as a graduate student.
“Cara is just so passionate about lacrosse and this team. I think it was an easy yes for her to come back,” Batcheller said. “She really does lead with care and we are so happy to have her this season.”
Sophomore Maddie Lauer is the midfield captain. She scored eight goals last season for the Wildcats. Junior Maddy Stoddard earned 21 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers last year, landing her the title of defensive captain. Coming off a stellar ’23 season, Pappas was named the positional captain for the attackers.
“We just can’t wait to show our speed, show this team all of our strengths, and all the hard work we put into this entire fall and pre-season,” said Pappas.
Last year, the Wildcats made it all the way to the Big East Championship where they were defeated by University of Denver, 13-7. After a successful 2023 season under Bacheller’s leadership, the Wildcats are looking forward to an even stronger spring this time around.
The Wildcats will open the 2024 regular season hosting No. 17 USC on Sunday at noon at Villanova stadium. Women’s lacrosse will start its Big East conference play on March 23 against Georgetown at home.
