Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/3/26
From Press Release
A back-and-forth affair went the way of the Wildcats on Tuesday afternoon as Villanova men’s lacrosse picked up an 11-10 victory over Drexel at Vidas Field.
Kessy Cox (Radnor/Hill School) contributed his top performance as a collegian with three goals and an assist for Villanova (3-2) while Luke Raymond pitched in a hat trick. Colin Michener (Penn Charter) totaled two goals, David Link put forth a goal and assist and both Nick Lucchesi (Radnor)and Gavin Michener (Penn Charter) scored for the ‘Cats.
Jake Melchionni hoovered up five ground balls in addition to multiple caused turnovers, Ryan Cunningham (Salesianum School) tied a season-high with eight faceoff wins and both Lucas Newton and Dan Martin contributed an assist.
Drexel scored on its first possession to open the matchup, but a strong ride from Villanova gave the ‘Cats an open look that C. Michener buried off an assist from Link. The Dragons got the next two before G. Michener put home an unassisted tally to continue his five-game point streak.
Brendan Donnelly (Gemantown Academy) started in the cage for the Dragons and made 11 stops across 60 minutes of play. Teddy Luthy followed up his six-assist game against Mercer with a hat trick and Alec Tulio (Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) led the Dragons in the points column, tallying four on two goals and two assists. Jack Joyner (Academy of the New Church) added a goal and two assists while Nate Bradley (Academy of the New Church) added two groundballs and two caused turnovers.
Raymond got open on the inside and turned around a Martin feed to even the score with a little over a minute left in the opener, then Cox hit a jump shot to give his side a 4-3 edge after one.
The second frame started with a few turnovers from each side before C. Michener took advantage of a shortstick matchup for his second of the day, then a failed Drexel clear gave way to a Cox invert goal for a 6-3 VU advantage and Drexel pause.
After almost five scoreless minutes, Cox drew attention on the outside and created a look for Lucchesi right in front of the cage for a six-score run and four-goal lead. The Dragons scored the final two goals of the half, giving Villanova a 7-5 advantage at the half.
Raymond started the third by wrapping around goal line extended and converting on a low angle for his second of the day. Drexel answered with a pair of scores in less than a minute for a one-goal game, then two Denis Fargione saves kept the ‘Cats ahead before Raymond scored again at 59 seconds to lead 9-7 after 45 minutes.
The Dragons opened the fourth with a score, but Cox shook free less than a minute later and put one home with his left hand for his first career hat trick and a 10-8 advantage. Drexel responded with one of their own at 8:45 but couldn’t convert on a fourth man-up chance to tie it as Fargione made a stop.
Following a Villanova timeout, a Raymond shot off the pipe reset the shot clock before Link created for himself off the restart and scored for an 11-9 advantage.
As was customary throughout this matchup, Drexel had the answer with a tally at 1:26 and scooped up the ensuing faceoff for a chance at the equalizer. But a Dragons shot was blocked in front and Fargione won the runout, meaning a successful Wildcat clear and keepaway ran the clock out for an 11-10 win.
Villanova extends its lead in the all-time series to 27-17, giving the ‘Cats five straight wins over the Dragons and Mike Corrado his 13th victory ever against the City Six rival.
