Villanova Partnership Expands To Soccer, PPL Park Will Host Women's Game On September 9

Villanova announced yesterday that their women's soccer will play Penn at PPL Park on September 9 at 7:00 pm.

"It is... a terrific opportunity to promote women's soccer here in the Philadelphia area, especially having a WPS franchise, the Independence, in the area and after a World Cup performance by our women's national team that really caught the public's attention," Villanova head coach John Byford told Villanova.com. "Our players are extremely excited by the prospect of playing at such a great venue."

The university has partnered with the Philadelphia Union for football related events, beginning with the school's November 19 rivalry showdown against Delaware and it appears that the partnership will extend beyond just one sport. Both Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz and Villanova officials have hinted toward the partnership being multi-dimensional and for a longer period of time than the currently contracted two games at PPL Park.

Hosting Villanova's women's soccer team is in line with the Union's recent moves with the Women's Professional Soccer team the Philadelphia Independence. PPL Park will host at least one Independence game during the 2011 WPS playoffs, marking the first time that the Philadelphia women's team will play at the stadium after attending many Union games over the past two seasons.