Villanova's field hockey team has already outscored its entire 2025 season after rolling to a 5-1 start with three consecutive shutouts.
Head coach Joanie Milhous told The Villanovan the Wildcats scored 28 goals through their first five games, surpassing the 25 they managed all of last season. Two more goals in a 2-0 win over Lehigh on Sunday, Sept. 13, pushed that total to 30 through six games.
"In the past few years, we have really struggled to score goals," Milhous said. "It has been really nice to have the scoring opportunities and having the girls convert on the opportunities."
Graduate student Ava Borkowski led a 9-0 rout of Queens on Friday, Sept. 11, with four goals, breaking her previous career high of three in a single game. She finished with six shots on goal. The BIG EAST conference named Borkowski to its Weekly Honor Roll on Tuesday, Sept. 15, her second career selection.
Senior Colleen Finnan added two goals and two assists against Queens. Freshman Sophia Wenk scored her first career goal in the blowout, which saw Villanova pile up 31 shots to Queens' two.
The Lehigh game was tighter but no less dominant defensively. Senior back Gemma Lysaght broke the deadlock before halftime off a penalty corner set up by junior Molly Zimmerman and senior Maeve Boston. Lehigh goalkeeper Kate Burgess made 12 saves to keep it close, according to the official game recap. Freshman Adie Minnella sealed the win with a penalty stroke with 2:20 left.
Lehigh did not record a single shot on goal.
Milhous called the defensive performance nearly unheard of. Senior goalkeeper Maddi Sears did not need to make a save and recorded her fourth shutout of the season.
Milhous credited offseason work on finishing and off-ball movement for the offensive turnaround. The roster blends returning players with new contributors like Wenk and Minnella.
The Wildcats open BIG EAST play at Connecticut on Friday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m. They host Drexel on Sunday, Sept. 20, then welcome Temple on Sept. 25.
