Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/4/26
From Press Release
It was a sweet return home for Villanova men’s lacrosse on Saturday afternoon as the Wildcats picked up their first home win of the year with a 9-7 conquest of the No. 20 Denver Pioneers at Villanova Stadium.
The specialists powered the ‘Cats on Saturday afternoon as Anthony Wilson made 11 saves between the pipes for Villanova (5-5, 2-0 BIG EAST), continuing his hot streak against the Pioneers with double-digit saves all three times he’s played them. George Glomb (Penn Charter) won 13 faceoffs on the day with seven ground balls of his own and Jake Melchionni contributed a game-high three caused turnovers.
Luke Raymond led the way for the ‘Cats offensively with four points on a hat trick and an assist while Colin Michener (two goals, Penn Charter), David Link and Lachlan Moffatt (each a goal and helper) all added multi-point days.
The first three goals all came from the Wildcats, holding the Pioneers scoreless until 3:21 in the frame. Nick Lucchesi (Radnor) shook free of his defender to put the ‘Cats on the board first, then Raymond converted a Moffatt assist before causing a turnover on the ride shortly after and firing one into an empty cage. Denver got the last two goals of the period, but Villanova led 3-2 after 15 minutes.
Melchionni picked off a pass in the defensive zone on DU’s first possession of the second quarter and pushed transition, getting it to Raymond who fed to Nolan Sabel for his first goal as a Wildcat. Raymond reached his second straight hat trick with an unassisted tally, and the ‘Cats held the visitors off the board in the period for a 5-2 advantage at the half.
Denver scored the only two goals of the third, getting one of them on a full-field heave on the 10-man ride while the other came in an unsettled loose ball situation, making it a 5-4 Wildcat edge heading into the final stanza.
The Pioneers tied up the game early on in the fourth, but the lead wouldn’t last long as Michener dodged his defender and beat the keeper down low. Denver scored back-to-back goals to take its first lead of the afternoon, but it was Michener answering again as he hit one going down the lefty alley for another even scoreboard.
Link got his defender hung up on the next VU possession and had his choice of cutters, eventually choosing the freshman Moffatt for the go-ahead goal at 4:07. Denver won the ensuing faceoff but Wilson caused a turnover in front of the cage and Jack Shoemaker took it down the field, finding Link for the put-away tally and a 9-7 win.
