The Wildcats soccer program, under head coach Mark Fetrow, has transformed injury adversity into a catalyst for building a deeper squad during his first two seasons.
Season‑ending injuries to captain Luke Martelli in both 2024 and 2025 disrupted early lineup consistency, forcing the team to rely on younger players and a broader bench.
In the 2026 campaign, despite losing seniors Josh Oladele, Marcello Mazzola and junior Cam Tolson to injury, the Wildcats have deployed as many as sixteen players who have each logged over one hundred minutes, showcasing the value of that depth.
A recent 1‑0 victory over Temple highlighted this resilience; Luca Mazzola and Joseph Margita combined for the winning goal after Martelli re‑entered the game midway through the second half.
The following match ended in a 1‑1 draw against Princeton, where Martelli’s timely strike secured the equalizer and underscored the importance of having multiple contributors ready to step up.
Upcoming Match Against Fordham
The Wildcats will host Fordham on Tuesday at 4 p.m., streaming on ESPN+ at the Higgins Soccer Complex. The team holds a 3‑0‑0 edge in the all‑time series, while the Rams arrive after a five‑game road stretch that includes recent defeats to Bucknell.
Villanova’s recent encounter with the Wildcats ended in a 1‑0 win in 2019 at Higgins, and the Wildcats have noted Villanova’s defensive identity as a factor that limits dangerous scoring chances.
Junior goalkeeper Alex Yagudayev boasts a 0.33 goals‑against average over 270 minutes, and the defensive back line — featuring Bar Netanel, Lorenzo Avalos, Brody Crampton and Jasper Zulman — has been effective at minimizing opponents’ opportunities.
Coach Fetrow expresses confidence in the squad’s defensive strength and resilience, noting measurable improvements over the past four years and emphasizing execution and possession control as the team prepares for upcoming non‑league fixtures.