Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at Holy Cross on January 31, 2026 , Win , 15, to, 10
Men's Lacrosse
at Holy Cross
Final
15
-
10
Providence College Athletics
Matt Francis Elevated To Associate Head Coach For Men's Lacrosse
8/5/2019 1:19:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Francis has spent the last three seasons with the program has an assistant coach.
PROVIDENCE, R.I.– Providence College men's lacrosse Head Coach Chris Gabrielli announced today [Aug. 5] that Matt Francis has been elevated to Associate Head Coach. Francis has spent the last three seasons with the program as an Assistant Coach.
"Matt Francis made an immediate, positive impact on our program when he joined the staff three years ago," Head Coach Chris Gabrielli said. "He continues to evolve as a great leader, allowing us to strive for new heights every season."
During Francis' three-year tenure with the Friars, the program has qualified for the four-team BIG EAST Men's Lacrosse Tournament, twice, and advanced to the championships game for the first time in program history in 2017. That same season, Providence made its first appearance in the national rankings, in both the USILA and Inside Lacrosse polls.
In 2018, Providence swept the season series against intra-state rivals Bryant University and Brown University to win its first Ocean State Cup Championship. The Friars claimed the cup with a 13-8 victory over Bryant (Feb. 17) and a thrilling, 12-11, overtime win against Brown (April 17). Additionally, it marked the Friars' first-ever victory over the Bears in 23 meetings.
In 2019, Providence finished the season ranked 10thamong NCAA Division I lacrosse programs in scoring defense. The Friars have been ranked among the top-10 in defense in two of the last three seasons.
With a Francis' mentorship and development of the Friars' face-off specialists, Providence College finished third among BIG EAST teams in face-off win percentage, with Colin Keating '19 winning over 50-percent of his draws in 2019.
Francis also has worked closely with the Friars' goalkeepers over the last three years, including Tate Boyce '17, who left Providence College as one of the most decorated lacrosse players in program history. Boyce is a two-time All-American, two-time BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year and four-time All-BIG EAST First-Team selection. Boyce also is the first player in program history to be named to the Tewaaraton Watch List (2018, 2019), and signed a professional contract with the Boston Cannons (MLL) on May 13.
Additionally, Francis has played a role in helping the program churn out six professional lacrosse players during his time on staff, spanning careers in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), Major Lacrosse League (MLL) and the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Among the list of players is PLL All-Star defenseman Jarrod Neumann, who graduated from Providence College in 2017 and currently plays for Chaos LC.
"During Matt's tenure at Providence College, we've seen an uptick in recruiting, a top-10 defensive unit in two of the last three years and a much-improved face-off unit," Gabrielli said. "Most importantly, Matt is a special person who positively impacts our team members every day with his caring, high energy, hardworking approach!"
Prior to his arrival at Providence College, Francis served as an assistant coach at Binghamton University (2013-16) and Marist College (2010-12).
Francis is a 2010 graduate of Marist College, where he enjoyed an impressive playing career with the Red Foxes as the team's face-off specialist. Following his junior season in 2009, he ranked seventh in the nation in face-off percentage with a mark of .576 and fifth in ground balls per game (6.46). As a senior in 2010, he won 158 face-offs and helped guide Marist to the MAAC Semifinals, its first conference championship appearance since 2006.
Francis was named Second Team Academic All-District by ESPN The Magazine as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on the at-large ballot in 2010.
Francis earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Marist in biomedical sciences, and also minored in psychology and business administration. He went on to earn an MBA from Marist in 2012 with an advanced certificate in executive leadership.
Francis resides in Warwick, R.I. with his wife, Auden, and daughter, Mackenzie.
- GO FRIARS! -
"Matt Francis made an immediate, positive impact on our program when he joined the staff three years ago," Head Coach Chris Gabrielli said. "He continues to evolve as a great leader, allowing us to strive for new heights every season."
During Francis' three-year tenure with the Friars, the program has qualified for the four-team BIG EAST Men's Lacrosse Tournament, twice, and advanced to the championships game for the first time in program history in 2017. That same season, Providence made its first appearance in the national rankings, in both the USILA and Inside Lacrosse polls.
In 2018, Providence swept the season series against intra-state rivals Bryant University and Brown University to win its first Ocean State Cup Championship. The Friars claimed the cup with a 13-8 victory over Bryant (Feb. 17) and a thrilling, 12-11, overtime win against Brown (April 17). Additionally, it marked the Friars' first-ever victory over the Bears in 23 meetings.
In 2019, Providence finished the season ranked 10thamong NCAA Division I lacrosse programs in scoring defense. The Friars have been ranked among the top-10 in defense in two of the last three seasons.
With a Francis' mentorship and development of the Friars' face-off specialists, Providence College finished third among BIG EAST teams in face-off win percentage, with Colin Keating '19 winning over 50-percent of his draws in 2019.
Francis also has worked closely with the Friars' goalkeepers over the last three years, including Tate Boyce '17, who left Providence College as one of the most decorated lacrosse players in program history. Boyce is a two-time All-American, two-time BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year and four-time All-BIG EAST First-Team selection. Boyce also is the first player in program history to be named to the Tewaaraton Watch List (2018, 2019), and signed a professional contract with the Boston Cannons (MLL) on May 13.
Additionally, Francis has played a role in helping the program churn out six professional lacrosse players during his time on staff, spanning careers in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), Major Lacrosse League (MLL) and the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Among the list of players is PLL All-Star defenseman Jarrod Neumann, who graduated from Providence College in 2017 and currently plays for Chaos LC.
"During Matt's tenure at Providence College, we've seen an uptick in recruiting, a top-10 defensive unit in two of the last three years and a much-improved face-off unit," Gabrielli said. "Most importantly, Matt is a special person who positively impacts our team members every day with his caring, high energy, hardworking approach!"
Prior to his arrival at Providence College, Francis served as an assistant coach at Binghamton University (2013-16) and Marist College (2010-12).
Francis is a 2010 graduate of Marist College, where he enjoyed an impressive playing career with the Red Foxes as the team's face-off specialist. Following his junior season in 2009, he ranked seventh in the nation in face-off percentage with a mark of .576 and fifth in ground balls per game (6.46). As a senior in 2010, he won 158 face-offs and helped guide Marist to the MAAC Semifinals, its first conference championship appearance since 2006.
Francis was named Second Team Academic All-District by ESPN The Magazine as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on the at-large ballot in 2010.
Francis earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Marist in biomedical sciences, and also minored in psychology and business administration. He went on to earn an MBA from Marist in 2012 with an advanced certificate in executive leadership.
Francis resides in Warwick, R.I. with his wife, Auden, and daughter, Mackenzie.
- GO FRIARS! -
Players Mentioned
Goalie
/ Men's Lacrosse
FO
/ Men's Lacrosse
Defense
/ Men's LacrosseMen's Lacrosse vs. Bryant
Friday, February 06
LAX vs. Marquette
Saturday, April 17
LAX vs. St. John's
Saturday, April 10
LAX vs. Denver
Saturday, March 27
