Villanova loses key player, gains grad transfer

Villanova’s back line will have a different look this fall with stalwart center back Nikkye DePoint heading west to Oregon State.

DePoint recently announced that he will transfer to the Pac-12 school to play out his final two seasons of eligibility.

“Nikkye did a great job for our team over the past two seasons,” head coach Tom Carlin said. “Oregon State is getting an experienced leader with a NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016. He is going to do a great job for them.”

The Rochester native, a former U.S. youth international, has been a regular in central defense for the Wildcats, playing in 32 games over his freshman and sophomore seasons. Though primarily a center back he has also spent some…