Men's Lacrosse Travels to RV/RV Villanova

PROVIDENCE TRAVEL TO RV/RV VILLANOVA...

Providence College travels to Villanova, Pa. to take on the Villanova Wildcats on Saturday, April 3. Face-off is set for 12:00 p.m. at Villanova Stadium.

LIVE STATS AND STREAM...

A live video stream and live stats of the game can be found on Villanova University's athletics website: www.villanova.com

SERIES BREAKDOWN...

Since 1988, the Friars and Wildcats have played 13 times. Villanova leads the all-time series, 8-5.

Most recently, Villanova defeated Providence, 11-8, on March 7, 2021 in Providence, R.I. Providence pulled within one halfway through the fourth quarter but Villanova scored two late goals to secure the victory.Dan Axelson and Ryan Zimmerman scored two goals each in the loss.

FRIARS DEFEATED BY PIONEERS, 19-11

Providence fell to the #8/#7 Denver Pioneers, 19-11, on Saturday, March 27 in Providence, R.I. Dan Axelson led the Friars with four goals. Graduate transfer Peter Pittroff appeared and started in his first game this season, scoring two goals and adding an assist. Toby Burgdorf had 16 saves in the defeat.

PROVIDENCE FALLS TO #4/#4 GEORGETOWN, 14-9

The Friars fell to the No. 4 Hoyas, 14-9 on March 20 in Providence, R.I. Matt Grillo, Evan McGreen and Tim Hinrichs pitched in with two goals each for Providence. Toby Burgdorf had a career-high 20 saves against the Hoyas.

BURGDORF NAMED TO BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOR ROLL...

Following his performance against Georgetown, Toby Burgdorf was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on March 24. Burgdorf had a career-high 20 saves and a .606 save percentage.

FOUR-STRAIGHT THIRD QUARTER GOALS THE DIFFERENCE AS PROVIDENCE DEFEATS MARQUETTE, 12-8...

After the score was tied 4-4 with 9:49 remaining in the third, Providence scored four-straight goals to conclude the quarter to take a comma nding 8-4 lead. Marquette trimmed the lead to two with 3:12 left in the fourth quarter but Providence scored the last two goals of the game and won, 12-8. Matt Grillo scored a season-best five goals. Ryan Zimmeman led the Friars in points (six) and assists (five). Toby Burgdorf had 14 saves in the victory.

GRILLO, BURGDORF AND ROMEO EARN BIG EAST WEEKLY HONORS...

Matt Grillo, Toby Burgdorf, and RJ Romeo all earned BIG EAST Weekly Awards on March 16 after their performances in the BIG EAST match against Marquette on March 13.

Grillo earned BIG EAST Attack Player of the Week following his season-high five goal performance, including the game-winning goal against the Golden Eagles. Burgdorf was tabbed BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week after tying his season-best in saves (14) and picking up four groundballs against the Golden Eagles. He posted a .636 save percentage in the victory. Romeo was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll after dominating the "X" in Saturday's match. Romeo went 17-23 (73.9-percent) at face-offs and picked up seven groundballs.

TOBY TIME...

Senior captain Toby Burgdorf was named to the Tewaarton Watch List on March 9. Burgdorf was also named 2021 Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-America Honorable Mention and 2021 USILA Preseason All-America Honorable Mention.

Burgdorf is averaging 11.6 saves per game and holds a .482 save percentage this season. He had a season-best 20 saves against Georgetown on March 20.

ZIMMERMAN MAKING HIS PRESENCE FELT IN FINAL SEASON...

Prior to his graduate 2021 season, Zimmerman appeared in 18 total games. Prior to this season, he tallied five goals, four assists and five groundballs. In this season alone, Zimmerman has appeared in eight games, cracking the starting lineup in seven games. He ranks second in points (21), assists (seven), man-up goals (two) and tied for second in goals (14) on the team. Zimmerman has tallied career-highs in single game goals (four), assists (five) and points (six). Zimmerman was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on March 9.

FOURTH QUARTER COMEBACK FELL SHORT AGAINST VILLANOVA...

Providence lost to Villanova, 11-8, on March 7 in Providence, R.I. The Friars were trailing by three goals entering the fourth quarter. Providence scored the first two goals of the final frame to pull within one for the first time since 4:29 left in the second quarter. Providence failed to tie the game and Villanova scored the last two goals of the game to win, 11-8. Dan Axelson and Ryan Zimmerman each scored two goals for Providence.

FRIARS HOLD OFF THE STAGS,18-17...

After Providence led by four-goals entering the break, Fairfield responded in the third quarter to tie the game entering the fourth. The Stags outscored the Friars 8-4 in the third quarter. The score was tied at 16 late in the fourth. Chris Cusolito found Brendan Driscoll with 2:21 remaining to score the go-ahead goal for the Friars. Ryan Zimmerman added an insurance goal with 53 seconds left. Fairfield scored with 36 seconds left but the Friars held on to win, 18-17. Ryan Zimmerman had a career-night with four goals and six points. Tim Hinrichs had a career-high four goals and added one assist.

NAWROCKI, AXELSON AND ZIMMERMAN PROVIDING OFFENSIVE BOOST...

Graduate students Ryan Nawrocki, Dan Axelson and Ryan Zimmerman have led the Friar offense through eight games. Axelson leads the team in points (23), goals (18), man-up goals (five) and is third in assists (five). Zimmerman ranks second in points (21), assists (seven) and man-up goals (two) and tied for second in goals (14) on the team. Nawrocki leads the Friars in assists (12), third in points (20) and fifth in goals (eight).

PROVIDENCE DEFEATED BY #12 DENVER, 23-10...

Providence concluded its three-game road trip with a 23-10 loss to #12 Denver at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium in Denver, Colo. Three Friars - Matt Grillo, Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Chabra - tallied two goals apiece in the defeat.

SECOND QUARTER SURGE PUSHES FRIARS PAST RED STORM...

After leading 3-0 after one quarter, Providence used seven goals in the second quarter to extend its lead to 10-3 entering the break. Providence went on to defeat St. John's, 16-8. Four Friars - Matt Leader, Dan Axelson, Ryan Zimmerman and Tim Hinrichs - tallied hat-tricks. Ryan Nawrocki chipped in with two goals and four assists. RJ Romeo won 21-28 (.750) face-offs and picked up 11 groundballs in the victory.

ROMEO NAMED BIG EAST MIDFIELDER OF THE WEEK...

RJ Romeo was tabbed BIG EAST Midfielder of the Week following his performance in Providence's 16-8 victory over St. John's (2/21). Romeo won 21-28 (.750) face-offs and picked up 11 groundballs in the victory. Romeo currently ranks 10th in the nation in face-off win percentage and first in the BIG EAST (.622).

FRIARS FALL TO BRYANT IN SEASON OPENER...

Providence dropped its first game of the season to Bryant, 9-8, in Smithfield, R.I. Dan Axelson tallied three goals for the Friars, marking the fourth hat-trick in his career and first on the season. Ryan Nawrocki added one goal, three assists and two groundballs. Goalie Toby Burgdorf saved 12 shots in the defeat.

BURGDORF AND HOFFMAN EARN BIG EAST WEEKLY AWARDS...

Goalie Toby Burgdorf and attackman John Hoffman earned BIG EAST weekly awards following their performances at Bryant (2/13). Burgdorf, who earned BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week, saved 12 shots and held a .571 save percentage against the Bulldogs. Hoffman was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll after recording two goals, one assist, two groundballs and one caused turnover.

ONE MORE GO AROUND...

Nine of the 12 seniors on the 2020 team have returned for one more season in the black, white and silver. Led by captains Tim Hinrichs, Nick Shaw and Nick Tommasi, they will look to leave their mark on Friartown.

HINRICHS REPEATS AS PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST HONOREE...

Graduate student Tim Hinrichs was named to the 2021 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team for the second-consecutive season. Hinrichs will be critical in the middle of the field for the Friars this season. The captain registered eight points on four goals and four assists in six games last season.

CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN...

Head Coach Chris Gabrielli announced that graduate students Tim Hinrichs and Nick Shaw will return as captains for Providence. Additionally, graduate student Nick Tommasi and seniors Toby Burgdorf and Evan McGreen were named captains.

STRONG, BUT SHORT 2020 SEASON...

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Friars were only able to play six games in the 2020 season. The Friars went 5-1 in the shortened season and won the 2020 Ocean State Cup after defeating Bryant and Brown. Providence's 5-1 start to the season marks the best start to the season in program history since Gabrielli's first season in 2013.

FRIARS PICKED TO FINISH FOURTH IN BIG EAST POLL...

Providence was picked to finish fourth in the 2021 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, with a total of 13 points. Denver was picked to win the league, having collected five first-place votes and 25 points overall. Georgetown (21 points), who received one first-place vote, was picked second and Villanova (17 points) was selected third. Rounding out the conference was Marquette (nine points) in fifth and St. John's (five points) in sixth.

WELCOME TO FRIARTOWN...

The Friars welcomed 13 freshmen and three transfers to the men's lacrosse program in the fall of 2020. Newcomers include Ty Thureson (Stillwater, Minn.), Chris Cusolito (Melrose, Mass.), Ricky Amorim (Warrington, Pa.), Michael Chabra (Reading, Mass.), Alex Schrank (Setauket, N.Y.), Billy Metz (Dallas, Texas), Will Collins (Marblehead, Mass.), Kevin Beatty (Summit, N.J.), Tom Fegley (Easton, Pa.), Brendan Driscoll (Middleton, Mass.), Rhys Day (Atlanta, Ga.), Connor Davies (Plantation, Fla.) and Cooper Shape (Hingham, Mass.). The three transfers include graduate student Peter Pittroff (Charlotte, N.C.)l Matt Murakami (Lake Grove, Ill.) and Harry Gregory (Summit, N.J.). Pittroff transferred to Friartown from Denison University and Murakami transferred from UMass Lowell. Gregory transferred from St. Lawrence.

SCOUTING RV/RV VILLANOVA...

The Wildcats enter Saturday's game with a record of 3-2 overall (3-2 BIG EAST). Both losses have come against Georgetown.

Villanova was selected third in the 2021 Preseason BIG EAST Men's Lacrosse Coaches' Poll and received 17 votes.

PLAYERS TO WATCH...

Keegan Khan leads the offensive charge for Villanova. Khan ranks first in points (22) and assists (12) and second in goals (10).

Patrick Kennedy was a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team and Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-America Honorable Mention. Kennedy has a team-best five caused turnovers and has picked up nine groundballs.

Will Vitton will be in net for the Wildcats. Vitton averages 10.2 saves per game, holds a .533 save percentage and gives up 10.66 goals per game.

WHAT'S NEXT...

The Friars return home to take on the St. John's Red Storm on Saturday, April 10 on Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium in Providence, R.I. Face-off is set for 6:00 p.m. Prior to the game, the program will honor its current senior class, in addition to the class of 2020, whom were unable to participate in a senior ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nine of last year's 12 seniors are current members of the team as graduate students. The three members of the 2020 class who are no longer with the program will be part of the ceremony virtually.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Ricky Amorim

Dan Axelson

Kevin Beatty

Toby Burgdorf

Michael Chabra

Will Collins

Chris Cusolito

Connor Davies

Rhys Day

Brendan Driscoll

Tom Fegley

Harry Gregory

Matt Grillo

Tim Hinrichs

John Hoffman

Matt Leader

Evan McGreen

Billy Metz

Matt Murakami

Ryan Nawrocki

Peter Pittroff

RJ Romeo

Alex Schrank

Cooper Shape

Nick Shaw

Ty Thureson

Nick Tommasi

Ryan Zimmerman

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at RV/#19 Fairfield on March 1, 2025 , Loss , 7, to, 15

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Loyola (Md.) on March 8, 2025 , Win , 12, to, 11

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at #6/#8 Duke on March 12, 2025 , Loss , 10, to, 16

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at #18/#19 Saint Joseph's on March 22, 2025 , Loss , 8, to, 16

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at #17/#15 Georgetown on March 29, 2025 , Loss , 13, to, 14

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Villanova on April 5, 2025 , Loss , 8, to, 11

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Marquette on April 12, 2025 , Win , 14, to, 2

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at #16/#16 Denver on April 19, 2025 , Win , 10, to, 6

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus St. John's on April 25, 2025 , Win , 16, to, 10

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus No. 2 Villanova on May 1, 2025 , Loss , 14, to, 16

Providence College Athletics