Villanova field hockey has never beaten Penn State. The 2-0 Wildcats get another shot at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at Char Morrett-Curtiss Field in State College.

It is the first meeting between the programs since 2019 and only the sixth all-time, according to Villanova athletics. Villanova has lost every previous matchup. The most recent ended 8-2.

The Wildcats then return for their home opener against New Haven at noon Sunday, Sept. 6, at Snell Field Hockey Field at Ursinus. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Hot start

Villanova went 5-13 in 2025 before falling to Liberty in the BIG EAST semifinals. The early returns this fall look different. The Wildcats opened with a 2-1 win over Delaware on Aug. 28 and a 7-0 rout of La Salle on Aug. 30.

Senior defender Gemma Lysaght powered the La Salle blowout with four goals and two assists, earning BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week. Across both games, she totaled four goals and three assists for 11 points on 12 shots. It is the fourth individual weekly award of her career.

Senior goalkeeper Maddi Sears earned BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week and NFHCA Defensive Player of the Week honorable mention after posting a .938 save percentage over the opening weekend, as we reported Sept. 3. She stopped all six shots in the La Salle shutout, the fourth of her career.

Graduate forward Ava Borkowski, the 2026 Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, and Colleen Finnan led the attack in the Delaware opener.

Scouting Penn State

Penn State enters at 1-1 under first-year head coach Hannah Prince. The Nittany Lions lost 4-3 in overtime to No. 5 Virginia before routing Lock Haven 8-0 for Prince's first career victory.

Five Penn State players have at least four points through two games, including Big Ten Field Hockey Watchlist members Sienna Dunn and Ella Gaitan. Junior goalkeeper Aby Deverka has logged more than 600 minutes in each of the past two seasons with 65-plus saves in both.

Sunday's home opener

New Haven arrives at 1-1 after a 5-0 loss to Colgate and a 4-0 win over St. Thomas Aquinas. The Chargers went 0-10 on the road last season. Goalkeeper Rae Kline played every minute in net for New Haven last year.

Villanova went 3-4 at home in 2025, highlighted by a win over then-No. 15 Saint Joseph's. Head coach Joanie Milhous is in her 32nd season leading the program.

How to watch

Friday's game at Penn State streams on Big Ten+. Sunday's home opener against New Haven streams on YouTube.