St. John's men's lacrosse team is set to open BIG EAST play against Villanova after a recent loss to Brown. The game will be held at Cox Family Field in Queens, starting at 1 p.m. St. John's is looking to bounce back, led by standout Chase Huggard, who scored five goals in their last match. The team has a strong man-down defense, ranked ninth nationally, but will face a Villanova team that has experienced a challenging season, despite a key early win against a top-ranked opponent.

By the Numbers
  • St. John's fell 13-8 to Brown, with five goals from Chase Huggard.
  • Matt Nelson has 111 saves this season on 392 shots faced, averaging 12.81 goals-against.
  • Villanova holds a 20-7 all-time series advantage over St. John's.
Yes, But

While St. John's has strong defensive stats, their recent loss highlights the potential struggles of maintaining momentum against a competitive Villanova squad, which has previously shown the capability to win against top teams.

State of Play
  • St. John's defense is performing well in man-down situations, ranking ninth in the nation.
  • Villanova enters with a 3-5 record, having lost their last three games.
  • Chase Huggard's recent performance may signal a potential turning point for St. John's offense.
What's Next

After the matchup against Villanova, St. John's will continue their conference schedule, facing Marquette on April 4, which could further define their BIG EAST standings.

Bottom Line

The outcome of the St. John's-Villanova game is pivotal for both teams as they attempt to reset their seasons. A victory for St. John's could bolster their confidence and standing in the conference, while a continued slide for Villanova might exacerbate their challenges moving forward.