VILLANOVA, Pa. – A trio of Villanova Wildcats each recorded their first career goal, helping fuel a convincing 3-0 victory over VMI (2-10-3 overall, 0-3 Southern Conference) in a game played on a sun-splashed fall afternoon at the Higgins Soccer Complex Tuesday.
 
The Wildcats (5-4-5) got their goals from junior Josh Oladele, freshman Matthew Klann and junior Javon Daniels. In each case, it was the first college goal of their respective careers.
 
"It's huge to get those kinds of contributions," said Villanova head coach Mark Fetrow. "We've been a goals by contribution kind of team all year. It's been a whole kind of effort. Different guys have shouldered the load and today was just a good representation of that."
 
Villanova seized the upper hand in the early stages of this one. Junior Josh Oladele recorded his first goal of the campaign – and first of his college career – at 5:59, sending a right footed shot into the bottom left of the net. Assists on the score were credited to Michael teDuits and Zach Miles.
 
In the 36^th minute, Villanova doubled its lead over the Keydets to 2-0. It was another first collegiate goal, this one off the right foot of freshman Matthew Klann at 35:20 off a pass from Marcello Mazzola. It marked the third straight game in which the junior Mazzola recorded a point.
 
The Wildcats had the upper hand throughout the first 45 minutes, owning a 12-2 edge in shots.
 
"We worked to break down their low block shape," said head coach Mark Fetrow. "They gave us a bit of a different look than we expected. They had their back line higher in the first half so we  were able to go more directly at it. We had some quality service and some good runs in the box. We were able to get two but it felt like we left some goals out there."
 
The Wildcats picked up their third goal of the day early in the second half. The play began on the right side when Josh Oladele fed a ball through to Sam Nyenka. The West Virginia transfer then sent a cross that junior Javon Daniels headed into the net to extend the Villanova lead.
 
Goalkeeper Sebastian Cutler DeJesus – one of three final year players honored in Senior Day ceremonies prior to the match – made his best save of the day in the 58^th minute on a shot by VMI's Yerin Mejia. Cutler DeJesus, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., was honored alongside back Foday Bangura (Greencastle, Pa.) and teDuits (Westwood, Mass.).
 
Cutler DeJesus' fifth save was exceptional too as he dived to his right to make a one-handed stop on Jordan Savage to preserve the shutout. He ended the afternoon
 
The Wildcats produced a 24-10 advantage in shots on the day.
 
"I think everyone could say it maybe wasn't the performance we wanted, but we got the three nil win and the clean sheet, which was most important," said Cutler DeJesus. "I didn't expect to make that many saves. At the end of the day, that's my job, to keep things organized back there and make the saves when they are there."
 
"Senior Day meant everything to me today. Fetrow and the team have helped me become a part of this community and find myself as a soccer player again. I couldn't have more gratitude to Fetrow, (Alex) Balog and (Josh) West and this program for what they have done for me."
 
Villanova resumes BIG EAST play Saturday at Georgetown (6 p.m., ESPN+).