Villanova University’s men’s soccer program has released its 2026 schedule, which features a hefty home slate of eleven matches. Head coach Mark Fetrow, now in his third year at the helm, says the lineup is crafted to test the team early and sharpen it for the rigors of Big East play.
The season kicks off at home on August 20 with a showdown against Temple, followed just four days later by a clash with St. Peter’s on August 24. The Wildcats will then travel to Princeton on August 28 before returning to the Higgins Soccer Complex for a series of September fixtures that include Fordham, FDU and Howard.
A schedule built for competition
Big East competition begins on September 18 at St. John’s, and the conference schedule will see Villanova host Drexel in a Soccer Six matchup on September 22. The team will also welcome UConn on October 3 for the league’s home opener, host Providence on October 11, and entertain Georgetown — the defending Big East champion — on October 24.
The non‑conference portion of the slate extends through October, culminating with Akron’s first visit to the Higgins Soccer Complex on October 31. Villanova’s previous season saw a six‑win improvement, and the new schedule is intended to build on that momentum as the program prepares for a competitive conference campaign.
With eleven home games on the horizon, the Wildcats will have ample opportunity to leverage their home‑field advantage while fine‑tuning tactics against a diverse set of opponents. Coach Fetrow emphasizes that the mix of regional rivals and out‑of‑conference programs is designed to simulate playoff intensity and foster resilience heading into the Big East regular season.
The final stretch of the regular season concludes on November 6 at Seton Hall, marking the end of a demanding campaign that promises to test the squad’s depth and adaptability.