Wildcats Lacrosse: 2026 Captains Named

Villanova Lacrosse Names Captains for 2026 Season, Eyes BIG EAST Return

Villanova University men’s lacrosse has announced its leadership team for the upcoming 2026 season, naming david Evanchick, Nick Lucchesi, Luke Raymond, and Jack Shoemaker as captains.The selection, revealed on Friday by head coach Mike Corrado, features a blend of experienced returners and emerging talent poised to guide the Wildcats back to championship contention.

veteran Leadership Anchors the Wildcats

Luke Raymond and David Evanchick will reprise their roles as captains,bringing valuable experience to the team. Raymond, entering his fifth year with the program, is a versatile offensive threat who has amassed nearly 60 points across 45 games, primarily as a midfielder. He achieved a career-high 23 points in 15 starts last season and earned an All-tournament nod at the BIG EAST Championship after a standout performance with a hat trick in the semifinal round.

evanchick, a key defensive contributor, began his collegiate career with 15 starts as a freshman and followed up with 33 ground balls and nine caused turnovers as a sophomore. while an injury limited his playing time last year,starting in only the first two games,he is expected to once again be a cornerstone of the Villanova defensive unit.

Did you know? – Villanova lacrosse has a strong tradition of success, having won three BIG EAST Championships and made six NCAA Tournament appearances. The program consistently ranks among the top lacrosse schools in the nation.

Shoemaker Continues Defensive Dominance

Joining Raymond and Evanchick as a repeat captain is defender Jack Shoemaker. Shoemaker earned a unanimous First team All-BIG EAST selection in 2025, demonstrating his impact on the defensive end with 17 caused turnovers – a figure that places him among the program’s all-time leaders in that category. The Los Angeles native has been a consistent presence, appearing in all 46 games since joining the team and recording a career-high 41 ground balls as a sophomore. He aims to solidify the Wildcats’ defense for a fourth consecutive year.

Lucchesi Steps Up as Offensive Captain

Nick Lucchesi is the sole newcomer to the captaincy this year, and the only junior selected for the honor. A highly productive midfielder, the Radnor High graduate has scored 32 career goals in just two seasons. Lucchesi will partner with Raymond to lead the offensive charge, particularly as Villanova looks to fill the void left by the graduation of leading scorer Matt Licata.

Pro tip – Effective team leadership frequently enough involves a balance of experience and fresh perspectives. Villanova’s captain selection reflects this, combining veteran players with an up-and-coming junior.

The Wildcats will kick off their season with a challenging road contest against Penn State on February 7th, marking the beginning of their pursuit of a return to the BIG EAST title game. Fans can follow the Villanova University men’s lacrosse program on X (@NovaLacrosse), Instagram (@novalacrosse), and Facebook (/NovaLacrosse) for updates throughout the season.

Reader question – What qualities do you think are most significant for a successful lacrosse captain, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments!