Men's Lacrosse Heads to Holy Cross

LIVE STATS AND STREAM... The game will not be streamed on Saturday at Holy Cross. Live stats will be available at goholycross.com.

SERIES BREAKDOWN - PROVIDENCE VS. HOLY CROSS.. The Friars are 12-17 all time against the Crusaders. Holy Cross has been the second game on Providence's schedule for the last three consecutive seasons. Providence has been victorious in all three games.

Last season the Friars earned a 9-6 victory at home against the Crusaders. Nick Hatzipetrakos (Syosset, N.Y.) scored a game-high five goals, including four in the second half. Sean Leahey (Cranford, N.J.) picked up three assists in the game. Tate Boyce (Matthews, N.C.) made 11 saves in the contest.

OPENING DAY AGAINST BU... The Friars fell to Boston University, 8-7, on Sunday, Feb. 3. Brendan Kearns (Wantagh, N.Y.) and Ryan Nawrocki (Smithtown, N.Y.) each had two points on one goal and one assist apiece. Freshmen Jake Antonucci (Westwood, Mass.) and Matt Grillo (Setauket, N.Y.) each recorded their first-career goals in the game. Boyce made 10 saves in net, while Terriers' goalie Joe McSorely had a standout, 24-save performance. Providence held advantages in shots (48 to 38) and turnovers (12 to 23)

FRIARS PICKED TO FINISH FIFTH IN BIG EAST POLL... Providence was picked to finish fifth in the 2019 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll with a total of 10 points. Denver was picked to win the league, having collected four first-place votes and 25 points overall. Marquette (18 points) was picked to finish second and Georgetown (17 points), who received one first place vote, was picked third.

TWO FRIARS EARN PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST SPOTS... It was announced by the league on Wednesday, Jan. 23 that Providence College men's lacrosse players Tate Boyce and Alex George (Simsbury, Conn.) were named to the 2019 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. Boyce, who has now been on the squad for three-consecutive seasons, was a unanimous selection.

ONE-GOAL GAMES... The Friars opened 2019 with another one-goal game after eight of the program's 15 games in 2018 were decided by just one goal. While last weekend's game did not reach overtime, five of the one-goal contests last season did.

2019 CAPTAINS.. Tate Boyce, Nick Crews (Longmeadow, Mass.), Brendan Kearns, and David Procopio (Syracuse, N.Y.) will serve as the team captains for the 2019 campaign. All four players are seniors and have

made major contributions to the program during their careers as Friars.

BOYCE RETURNS TO NET... Boyce, a three-time All-BIG EAST First Team selection, returns for his senior season. The goalkeeper has already had a storied career in Friartown, including being named BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year and a USILA/Nike Third-Team All-American in 2017. For his career, Boyce holds a 9.40 goals against average, a .541 save percentage and has accumulated 535 total saves. Last season, he was one of 50 players named to the Preseason Tewaaraton Watch List.

HATZIPETRAKOS RETURNS AS TOP SCORER... Nick Hatzipetrakos (Syosset, N.Y.) is the Friars' top returning scorer. He notched 22 goals and added one assist for 23 total points.

KEARNS HOT ON THE ATTACK... Brendan Kearns notched 23 points on 13 goals and 10 assists for the Friars last season. The senior attackman became the 22nd player in program history to reach the 100 point mark. He ranks 16th in career goals at Providence, with 67.

In the Friars' opening game of 2019, Kearns picked up two points on a goal and an assist.

CREWS ANCHORS THE DEFENSE... Senior Nick Crews played all 15 games for the Friars last season. He returns as a leader of the defensive squad after being named the program's Most Improved Player last season.

RETURN OF THE ROOKIE... Evan McGreen (Narragansett, R.I.) finished his successful rookie campaign with 10 goals and a team-leading 18 assists. He was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team at the conclusion of the season.

FRIARS LOOK TO WIN THE 'X'... Face-off specialist Alex George will be a key contributor for the Friars this season. Last season, he won 75-of-144 opportunities at the 'X' for a .512 winning percentage. Additionally, he picked up a team-high 47 ground balls last season.

THREATS IN MAN-UP SITUATIONS... The Friars return their top-3 threats in man-up situations. Sean Leahey, Nick Hatzipetrakos and Ryan Nawrocki (Smithtown, N.Y.) combined for 11 of Providence's 17 man-up goals last season.

ROOKIES... The Friars welcomed 11 freshmen to the men's lacrosse program in the fall of 2018. Newcomers include Jake Antonucci (Westwood, Mass.), Will Ciccarelli (West Chester, Pa.), Matt Gould (Darien, Conn.), Matt Grillo (Setauket, N.Y.), Michael Harris (Basking Ridge, N.J.), Rainier Lee (Alexandria, Va.), Cam Martin (Westwood, Mass.), Ryan Mechler (Marlborough, Mass.), Luke O'Grady (Wayne, Pa.), Mike O'Grady (Milton, Mass.) and Will Thomas (Cohasset, Mass.).

SCOUTING HOLY CROSS.. The Crusaders went 4-9 overall last season and 2-6 in Patriot League play. Holy Cross averaged 6.69 goals per game and 11.0 goals against per game. As a team, the Crusaders converted on 10-48 (.208) man-up opportunities and won 152-269 (.565) face-offs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH... The Crusaders lost their top two point scorers, but return the other three of last season's top five. Drew Babiak, Justin Lynskey and Sean Mullaney each played in all 13 games last season. Babiak was second on the team in goals (16) and third in total points (18). Lynskey had 16 points on 11 goals and five assists, while Mullaney had 15 points on 10 goals and five assists. Junior Dan O'Connell returns to the team after taking nearly every face-off last season. He went 151- of-263 from the 'X.'

Jonathan Tesoro returns to net for his junior season. He started all 13 games last season, posting a 10.84 goals against average and a .445 save percentage. He made 98 total saves.

WHAT'S NEXT... The Friars remain on the road to face Bryant on Saturday, Feb. 16. Game time is set for noon. The next home contest is Saturday, March 9 at 1:00 p.m. against Sacred Heart.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jake Antonucci

Tate Boyce

Will Ciccarelli

Nick Crews

Alex George

Matt Gould

Matt Grillo

Michael Harris

Nick Hatzipetrakos

Brendan Kearns

Sean Leahey

Rainier Lee

Cam Martin

Evan McGreen

Ryan Mechler

Ryan Nawrocki

Luke O'Grady

Mike O'Grady

David Procopio

Will Thomas

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Providence College Athletics