US Lacrosse Magazine released the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Men’s Preseason Top 20 on Jan. 8. Team-by-team previews will be unveiled on uslaxmagazine.com throughout January and will also appear as part of the magazine’s NCAA preview edition that mails to US Lacrosse members Feb. 1 — opening day of the 2018 college lacrosse season.

No. 20 Villanova

2017 Record: 9-6 (4-1 Big East)
Coach: Mike Corrado (12th year)

All-Time Record: 285-253
NCAA Appearances: 2
Final Fours: 0
Championships: 0

To fully surmise Villanova’s prospects in 2018, you have to go back to March 18, 2017. That’s when the Wildcats stunned Maryland in College Park.

Two moments stand out. First, there was the crease-clearing hit delivered by 5-foot-4, 140-pound midfielder John Kluh as Villanova nursed a late lead. Then there was the unbelievable catch, spin and underhand finish in traffic by attackman Danny Seibel that lifted the Wildcats to a 13-12 victory in overtime.

Villanova didn’t intend for a mid-March win over the eventual NCAA champion to be the highlight of the season. But after an incredible stretch in which it won eight of nine games, it faltered in the Big East tournament against upstart Providence — an abrupt end to a once-promising campaign. Moreover, Jake Froccaro and Jack Curran, two of the most prolific scorers in school history, graduated.

Why the optimism?

Kluh, a sixth-year senior, and Seibel, a fourth-year starter, are among an experienced core of Wildcats who have enjoyed tastes of success that have left them hungrier for more in May. Table-setter Christian Cuccinello (33 goals, 31 assists) is plenty capable with the keys to the offense, and Devin McNamara leads the midfield as a fifth-year senior and fourth-year starter.

“We have four really experienced players at the offensive end of the field,” said coach Mike Corrado, who joked that he has known Kluh, who missed two straight seasons due to injuries sustained in fall ball, nearly as long as he has known his 8-year-old son. “He’s strong. He’s fast. He’s fearless. He put in the hard work to get himself back to where he can compete at this level.”

Villanova is strong up the middle. Luke Palmadesso, Villanova’s primary faceoff specialist since his freshman year, returns as a senior. And the Wildcats are two-deep at the goalie position after landing Virginia transfer Matt Barrett, who will challenge incumbent Nick Testa for the starting role.

Barrett was a second-team All-American in 2015. His performance dipped during the 2016 season, and then he was arrested for drug possession in Ocean City, Md., that summer. Virginia coach Lars Tiffany suspended Barrett for the 2017 season.

Corrado declined to comment on Barrett’s legal trouble.

“We all know the story,” Corrado said. “Since he’s gotten here, he’s been a model student, a hard worker and had a positive impact on the team.”

The Case For Villanova

Froccaro and Curran combined to take 266 shots, nearly 40 percent of the Wildcats total output. That’s a lot of ammo to replace. But Villanova might be better off with a faceless approach and letting Cuccinello play the role of surgeon. “Christian Cuccinello is as dynamic as an attackman as there is out there,” Corrado said. “Two hands, big, fast, can beat you with quickness and can also beat you with strength and power. His ability to go both ways with both hands makes him a really tough cover.”

The Case Against Villanova

Joey Froccaro tore his ACL in the fall, further challenging the Wildcats’ depth in the midfield. He was poised for a breakout season. Villanova also remains very young on defense. Opponents exploited these weaknesses early last season, as the Wildcats started 0-3. They would find it more difficult to dig themselves out of such a hole this season, and the schedule again is frontloaded.

Path to the Playoffs

The Wildcats have won 18 games over the last two seasons. Their non-conference schedule includes five foes — Penn State, Yale and Hofstra out of the gate, plus Maryland and Penn — ranked in the Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Top 20. In addition to Big East play, there will be plenty of opportunities to build a postseason resume.

Players To Watch

Christian Cuccinello, A, Sr.
33 G, 31 A

The first-team All-Big East attackman is Villanova’s primary initiator and distributor, but certainly he is capable of putting the ball in the back of the net himself.

Danny Seibel, A, Sr.
26 G, 57.0 SH%

An off-ball finisher, Seibel took advantage when Maryland tried to blanket him with a short stick, scoring four goals, including the game-winner in overtime to punctuate one of the biggest upsets of the 2017 season.

Connor Kirst, So. M
11 G, 36 GB

The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder played mostly d-middie as a freshman, but his booming outside shot earned him a spot on the extra-man unit. Kirst will join Kluh and McNamara on the first midfield line with the potential to break out offensively. He can also face off.

National Rankings

Power Ratings (Scale of 1-5)

Offense
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Defense
⭐⭐

Goalkeeping
⭐⭐⭐

Faceoff
⭐⭐⭐

.772

Villanova’s assist-to-turnover ratio, a rather favorable mark considering the frequency of exchanges in lacrosse. The Wildcats ranked in the top 10 in both categories in 2017, committing the fewest turnovers per game (10.53) of any team in Division I. Factor in their sound clearing game (90.5 percent) and you get the picture of a team that prides itself on playing mostly error-free lacrosse.

5-Year Trend
Conference Record

Coach Confidential
Mike Corrado

“Philosophically, you look at our schedule and everybody you talk to asks, ‘What are you, stupid?’ I sit on the RAC (regional advisory committee). I hear the discussions. Everyone’s goal is to make the NCAA tournament. You make the NCAA tournament and win two games, you’re in the final four. But it’s really hard to get in there. You can put all your chips into the conference championship, or the other way is to get some strong non-conference wins to get in position at large.”

Enemy Lines
Rival Coaches

“The uzi-shooters are gone. Jake Froccaro and Jack Curran combined for over 250 shots. But sometimes there can a better offensive flow and reliability on teammates when the alpha males depart. ... We will learn a great deal about this group’s offensive chemistry right away in February, as the Wildcats face two Top 10 opponents with stingy defenses: Penn State followed by Yale. ... Goalie Nick Testa returns between the pipes, but look who landed at Villanova: Matt Barrett and his one more year of eligibility. ... A few goals short last year, talented returners, and better in goal. ...  Watch out for this team. They finally have a goalie. If they can play together on offense, they can compete with anyone.”