(MARQUETTE COMMUNICATIONS) – The Marquette University men’s lacrosse team (6–5, 2–1 BIG EAST) is back in action for Senior Day this Saturday, April 18, when they host Villanova (5-6, 2-1 BIG EAST).
Last Time Out
Marquette fell to No. 12/13 Georgetown, 17–7, on April 11 at Cooper Field in Washington, D.C., in a battle for first place in the BIG EAST.
The Hoyas used a seven-goal first quarter to seize control early, and Marquette was unable to recover from the deficit. Georgetown extended its lead to 10–4 at halftime and maintained its advantage throughout the second half. Georgetown continued to control the pace in the second half, pulling away to secure the conference victory.
Nolan Rappis led the Golden Eagles with four points (2G, 2A), reaching the 100-career point milestone in the process. Carsen Brandt added three assists.
History vs. Villanova
Marquette and Villanova meet for the 15th time in program history, with the Wildcats holding an 11–3 advantage in the all-time series.
Villanova has won nine straight meetings in the series dating back to 2017, with Marquette’s last victory coming in the 2016 BIG EAST Tournament semifinals.
Despite the recent results, the series has featured several tightly contested matchups. Two of the last three meetings have been decided by a single goal, including a 14–13 Villanova victory in 2025 in which the Wildcats scored three times in the final minute, and a 16–15 overtime decision in 2023.
Scouting the Wildcats
Villanova enters Saturday with a 5-6 overall record and a perfect 2–1 mark in BIG EAST play. The Wildcats are averaging 10.5 goals per game while allowing 10.3, with several close contests highlighting their season to date.
Offensively, Villanova is led by Luke Raymond, who paces the team with 36 points on 31 goals and five assists. The Wildcats feature a balanced scoring attack, with multiple contributors including David Link, Colin Michener, and Nick Lucchesi, each tallying 19+ points on the year.
In the cage, Denis Fargione has handled the majority of the minutes, posting a .453 save percentage with a 10.83 goals-against average.
At the faceoff X, the Wildcats have been near even at .523 while defensively they have forced 110 caused turnovers and picked up 345 ground balls.
WOMEN
The Marquette University women’s lacrosse team (8-5, 2-2 BIG EAST) wraps their home schedule this Saturday, celebrating senior day by hosting Butler (3-11, 0-4 BIG EAST). First draw is set for 2 p.m. CT from the outdoor grass field at Valley Fields.
LAST TIME OUT
Marquette University women’s lacrosse takes on #19 Denver at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium in Denver, Colorado on April 1, 2026. Photo by Matthew Haufe/Marquette Athletics.
Marquette used an explosive eight‑goal second quarter to earn a 16–9 win over No. 24 Villanova on April 4 at Valley Fields. Hanna Bodner posted four goals and an assist, while Riley Jenkins added four goals, including a man‑advantage score, as eight different Golden Eagles found the net. Dani Serrano contributed two goals and four assists, Tess Osburn chipped in two goals and an assist, and goalkeeper Jillian Howell finished with 11 saves as Marquette secured its first ranked win since 2023.
HISTORY VS. BUTLER
Marquette holds a 9-0 all‑time advantage against Butler in a series that dates back to 2017, with all nine meetings coming during BIG EAST play. The Golden Eagles have won every matchup by at least six goals, including multiple road victories in Indianapolis and five wins at Valley Fields. Marquette took the most recent meeting 16-5 at Butler in 2025, while last season’s matchup resulted in a 20-12 home win, as MU has consistently combined offensive balance and defensive pressure to control the series.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Butler enters the matchup at 3-11 overall and 0-4 in BIG EAST play. The Bulldogs average 9.86 goals per game and allow 13.93, but have been efficient in transition, clearing at an 88.5 percent rate, which ranks top three in the BIG EAST. Offensively, Butler is led by Elise Latham, who has a team‑high 33 goals, and Riley Ryan with 19 goals and 18 assists, while goalkeeper Samantha Wilson ranks top 20 nationally with 124 saves and averages 8.86 saves per game despite facing heavy shot volume.
SENIOR DAY CELEBRATIONS
Marquette will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, honoring Tess Osburn, Maeve Dooley, Sofia Santana, Hanna Bodner, Taylor Kotschevar, Isabelle Casucci, Adrianna Commodari and Sayla Lotysz for their impact on the program. The senior class has played a key role in Marquette’s growth in the BIG EAST, contributing across every area of the field through scoring, possession, defensive pressure and leadership, while helping shape the culture of the program on and off the field.
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