On Thursday May 2, No. 4 seed Villanova (9-6, BE 2-3) hosted No 1. Seed Denver (11-3, BE 5-0) in the Big East Semifinal. This season is the first time Villanova has hosted the Big East tournament since 2018. The Wildcats defeated the Pioneers in a thriller, 10–9.
Multiple players earned Big East Conference accolades heading into the match. Graduate long stick midfielder Stephen Zupicich and senior attack Matt Licata were named to the Big East First Team, while graduate midfielder Stevie Jones, senior defender Reid Colwell, and redshirt freshman attack Colin Michener were named to the Big East Second Team.
Graduate midfielder Mason Reale was the first to put Villanova on the scoreboard early in the first period.
Redshirt freshman attack Colin Michener put one in the back of the net to put Villanova up, 2-0.
Senior midfielder Lucas Kopecky added another to the Cats’ lead.
Graduate attack Thomas McIntire found the back of the net to extend Villanova’s lead 4-0 with six minutes left in the period.
Denver got on the scoreboard with a shot from midfield, making the score 4-1 to end the first period.
The second period opened up with a goal from senior attack Matt Licata, extending the Cats’ lead by four goals. Licata then added another goal to his name, putting Villanova up 6-1.
Denver responded to make the score 6-2, ending the half.
The third period began with a quick goal from Denver, cutting Villanova’s lead.
The Pioneers scored again, making the score 6-4, three minutes into the second half.
Denver continued its goal streak, cutting Villanova’s lead to one goal, 6-5. The Pioneers then scored two more goals to put them up for the first time in the match, 7-6.
Villanova headed into the last period after a scoreless third quarter.
Graduate midfielder Sam Parkinson found the back of the net to tie the game, 7-7. McIntire scored again to put Villanova up, 8-7.
Denver scored to tie the game for the second time with nine minutes left in the matchup.
Junior midfielder Tyler Boes found the back of the net to put Villanova back on top.
The Pioneers responded to tie the game with two minutes left.
Junior attack Luke Raymond sent one to the back of the net to seal the Villanova victory, 10-9.
Villanova Men’s Lacrosse is scheduled to face off against Georgetown (10-3, BE 4-1) in the Big East Championship on May 4th at 5 p.m. at Villanova Stadium.
