'Nova football, hoops, shows to air on WIP

Villanova on Wednesday announced it has reached a multiyear agreement with WIP (610 AM, 94.1 FM) to broadcast its men's basketball and football games. The contract begins with the 2012-13 men's basketball season, which starts Nov. 9.

In addition to the games, WIP will also carry two programs, Talking Villanova Basketball with Jay Wright, beginning in December; and Talking Villanova Football with Andy Talley, which starts next year.

"This new agreement ensures that the 'Nova Nation fans in our region will continue to have the opportunity to hear every Villanova men's basketball and football game on one of the top sport destinations on the radio dial," athletics director Vince Nicastro said in a statement.

"We're so happy to welcome WIP to the Villanova family," basketball coach Jay Wright said. "WIP is a big part of the sports scene in Philly, and we're excited to now be part of the team."

Men's soccer. Drexel junior midfielder Nathan Page and senior goalkeeper Tim Washam (Warminster, William Tennent) repeated as Philadelphia Soccer Six player of the week and defender of the week, respectively. The two were key in the Dragons' 1-0 win over Georgia State on Saturday to clinch their first Colonial Athletic Association tournament berth since 2007.

St. Joseph's midfielder Tim Lazorko (Holy Ghost Prep) was named Philadelphia Soccer Six rookie of the week. The freshman, who leads the Hawks in total points (14), goals (five), and assists (four), scored St. Joseph's lone goal in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Butler.

Philadelphia University forward Ryan Schroy (Medford, Shawnee) scored his first collegiate goal, in the 73d minute, vs. Millersville on Wednesday, to lead the men's soccer team to a 1-0 win in the regular-season finale over the visiting Marauders. The Rams, who finished the regular season with a record of 9-5-4, advanced to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference tournament quarterfinal round against an opponent still to be determined.

Field hockey. In its last home game of the season, Widener lost to ninth-ranked Messiah, 2-1, on Wednesday in a Commonwealth Conference game at Edith R. Dixon Field.

Conference leader Messiah (14-3, 8-0 CC) went ahead in the first half on a goal from Becky Ely, but junior Samantha Balonis tied it up for Widener (5-11, 3-5 CC) with a goal 39 seconds into the second period. Messiah's Brooke Sands scored the go-ahead goal just 10 minutes later, and that was the game.

Cabrini scored five straight goals on the way to a 5-2 win Wednesday over host Immaculata. In their final Colonial States Athletic Conference game of the season, the Mighty Macs fell to 1-6 CSAC, and 1-15 overall. The Cavaliers (8-7, 6-1 CSAC) had a 5-0 lead by the 42d minute, and Immaculata was never able to recover.

Women's basketball. In a vote by league coaches, Messiah and Widener were picked to finish a close second and third in the Commonwealth Conference.

The favorite, Lebanon Valley, finished with 77 points and six first-place votes. The Dutchmen (27-3 in 2011-12) are coming off back-to-back conference titles, and consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.

Messiah had 71 points and two first-place votes, and Widener tallied 70 points and two votes. Arcadia had 28 points and was picked to finish eighth in the 10-team conference.