Two goals five minutes apart in the first half proved too much for Villanova to overcome as they fell to Providence in the final career home game for six Wildcats on Saturday.
Needing three points to keep alive the hope of postseason, Villanova was able to cut the lead in half through senior Lucas Hodges off a rebound in the 18th minute but a second half free kick from Zach Zandi hit the woodwork and Friars goalkeeper Colin Miller made several key interventions to keep Nova off the board the rest of the way, finishing with seven saves.