January 19, 1999

Villanova, Pa.--- Villanova University has accepted an invitation to join the Patriot League as an associate member in women's lacrosse and will commence competition as a league member this coming spring. The announcement was made on Monday, January 18, by Patriot League Executive Director Connie Hurlbut.

"We are thrilled by Villanova University's decision to accept an invitation to join the Patriot League," said Hurlbut. "Villanova shares many qualities with our current Patriot League membership, including an adherence to top academic standards and a commitment to women's sports. I expect Villanova to strengthen our conference and assist us in our quest to become one of the top Division I conferences in the nation."

Villanova is led by head coach Joanie Milhous, who enters her second season at the helm of the Wildcats in 1999. Milhous is also the head coach of the Villanova University field hockey program. In her first season with the women's lacrosse program in 1998, the Cats posted a 4-12 record.

The Wildcats join Bucknell University, Colgate University, the College of Holy Cross, Lafayette College and Lehigh University in the Patriot League. With the addition of Villanova as the league's sixth team member, the Patriot League now meets the NCAA conference minimum of six teams.

The Patriot League has enjoyed continuous success since its inception in 1991. During the league's short tenure, the league has sent one team to the NCAA Division I Tournament and six teams to the ECAC Tournament.