Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at RV/#19 Fairfield on March 1, 2025 , Loss , 7, to, 15
Men's Lacrosse
at RV/#19 Fairfield
Final
7
-
15
Providence College Athletics
Thursday, May 1
Denver, Colo. / Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium
9:00 PM (ET)
Providence College
vs
No. 2 Villanova
Lacrosse BIG EAST Semifinal Game Notes vs Villanova
4/30/2025 11:30:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
PROVIDENCE SET TO PLAY NO. 2-SEED VILLANOVA IN THE BIG EAST SEMIFINALS … The No. 3 seed Friars will face No. 2 seed Villanova in the BIG EAST Semifinals on Thursday, May 1 at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium in Denver, Colo. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. (ET). Villanova is currently receiving votes in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll and the USILA Coaches Poll. The Friars are receiving votes in the USILA Coaches Poll.
FRIARS IN THE NATIONAL POLLS... Providence was ranked 20th in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll (Feb. 10) but dropped out of the rankings following a 12-10 loss to then-No. 19/17 Harvard. Providence is receiving votes in the current USILA Coaches Poll, released on April 28. The Friars are 1-5 against nationally ranked opponents in 2025 and have lost just two games this season to unranked teams.
GAME WILL BE TELEVISED ON CBS SPORTS NETWORK… All games played in the 2025 BIG EAST Lacrosse Championship will be televised live on CBS Sports Network. Links to live stats, can be found on Friars.com by navigating to the men's lacrosse schedule.
SERIES BREAKDOWN… Thursday's game between Providence and Villanova will mark the 29th meeting between the two programs all-time. Villanova leads the series 11-6.
MOST RECENT MEETING... The teams last met during the 2025 campaign on April 5 in Providence, R.I., where Providence was defeated by Villanova, 11-8. Rhett Chambers, Richie Joseph and Jack Horrigan each recorded two goals for the Friars.
LAST TIME THE FRIARS DEFEATED VILLANOVA... The Friars last defeated the Wildcats on April 6, 2024. On that day, Providence claimed a 15-12 victory over Villanova in Villanova, Pa.
FRIARS ALL-TIME IN THE BIG EAST TOURNAMENT... Providence holds a 1-6 record all-time in the BIG EAST Tournament since the league began sponsoring men's lacrosse in 2010. During the 2024 campaign No. 3 Providence was defeated by No. 2 Georgetown 14-13 in overtime.
FRIARS VERSUS THE WILDCATS IN THE BIG EAST TOURNAMENT... The Friars are 1-0 vs. Villanova in the BIG EAST Tournament all-time. The Friars edged the Wildcats in the 2017 BIG EAST Semifinals, 10-7 in Providence R.I. It marks the Friars' lone victory in the BIG EAST Tournament all-time.
SCOUTING VILLANOVA… Villanova finished the 2025 regular season 7-6 overall and 4-1 in the BIG EAST. The Wildcats claimed a share of the BIG EAST Regular-Season title and are currently are receiving votes in the Inside Lacrosse Media and USILA Coaches polls. Villanova was defeated by No. 14/14 Georgetown, 17-9, in the regular-season finale marking on April 26 the Wildcats only loss in BIG EAST play.
WILDCATS TO WATCH… The Wildcats' offense is led by Colin Michener, who has recorded a team-high 36 points with 23 goals and 13 assists. Matt Licata has contributed 32 points with 23 goals and nine assists. Villanova's defense is led by Beau Kemler, with 48 groundballs and 18 caused turnovers. Denis Fargione has played a majority of the minutes in net for Villanova. He has recorded 99 saves with a .597 save percentage.
FRIARS ENTER TOURNAMENT PLAY ON THREE-GAME WIN STREAK... Providence enters the BIG EAST Tournament on a season-best three-game win streak. After starting conference play, 0-2, the Friars have won three-straight games to complete the regular-season schedule. It marks the longest win streak for Providence since opening the 2020 season, 3-0. That year, the Friars posted a 5-1 record before play was suspended due to the pandemic.
FRIARS DEFEAT ST. JOHN'S IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE... The Providence College men's lacrosse team defeated St. Johns's (4-11, 0-5 BIG EAST), 16-10, on Friday, April 25 in Providence, R.I. With the win, the Friars improved to 7-7 on the season and 3-2 in BIG EAST play. Ryan Bell recorded a game-high eight points on two goals and six assists. Jack Horrigan recorded a career-high seven goals. The Friars clinched the No. 3 seed in the BIG EAST Men's Lacrosse Tournament and will face the No. 2-seed Villanova on Thursday, May 1. Faceoff is set for 9:00 (ET) on CBS Sports Network.
RYAN BELL AND JACK HORRIGAN EARN BIG EAST WEEKLY HONORS... Ryan Bell and Jack Horrigan earned BIG EAST Weekly Honors on Monday, April 28. Bell tied his season high in scoring with eight points on two goals and six assists. His sixth assist helped him set a new single-season program record with 46 assists, breaking his previous record of 45. Horrigan tallied a career-high seven goals in the win and currently leads the Friars with 41 goals overall. Both Bell and Horrigan were named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the fourth time in 2025.
RYAN BELL IN THE RECORD BOOKS... Senior Ryan Bell set the all-time career scoring record on Saturday, Feb. 22 during the Friars' game at Brown. Entering Thursday's BIG EAST Semifinal game against Villanova he has recorded 231 career points (66 goals and 165 assists). Ken Leahy '00 held the record previously, scoring 188 points (112 goals / 76 assists) from 1997-00.
Bell also is the program's all-time career assist leader (165), having passed Matt Pymm '99, who closed his career with 102 assists. Bell set the single-season assist record (46) during Providence's game against St. John's on April 28. He set the previous mark (45) during the 2024 campaign. Bell also holds the single-season point record (66). Kyle Ojakian previously set both records with 42 assists and 63 points in 2002.
On March 8, Bell became the first Friar to reach 200 career points during the team's game against Loyola (Md.).
JACK HORRIGAN MOVING UP ALL-TIME CAREER SCORING AND GOALS LIST... Senior Jack Horrigan is currently tied 14th on the all-time scoring list (138 points) and third on the all-time career goals list (114 goals). Horrigan recorded his 100th career-goal versus Villanova on April 5. He is one of six players in program history to score 100+ goals.
RICHIE JOSEPH MOVING UP ALL-TIME GOALS LIST. Junior Richie Joseph is currently tied for 18th on the all-time scoring list (117 points) and 14th all-time at Providence with 86 career goals. Joseph scored his 100th career point against Saint Joseph's on March 22.
RYAN BELL LEADS THE NATION IN ASSISTS PER GAME...Ryan Bell leads the nation (NCAA Division I) in assists per game, with 3.29. Bell is tied for 19th all-time in NCAA history with 165 career assists.
JACK HORRIGAN LEADS THE NATION IN MAN-UP GOALS... Jack Horrigan leads the nation (NCAA Division I) in man-up goals, with 11. He is tied for 11th all-time in NCAA single-season man-up goals since tracking began in 2010.
ON THE OFFENSIVE... Through the regular season, Ryan Bell leads the Friars in scoring with 61 points on 15 goals and a program-record 46 assists. Jack Horrigan ranks second with 49 points, including a team-high 41 goals and eight assists. Richie Joseph has also contributed 33 goals for Providence. Horrigan leads the BIG EAST and ranks 16th nationally in goals per game (2.93), and sits fifth in the conference in points per game (3.50). Joseph ranks third in the BIG EAST in goals per game (2.54) and eighth in points per game (3.31). Bell leads the nation in assists per game (3.29), and ranks first in the conference and tied for 14th nationally in points per game (4.36).
QUINN MCCONNAUGHEY AT THE 'X'... Quinn McConnaughey has been the Friars' primary face-off man this season. He has won 161-of-282 opportunities and has recorded a .571 face-off percentage. McConnaughey ranks first in the BIG EAST in groundballs per game (5.43). He ranks 19th in the NCAA and fourth in the BIG EAST in face-off percentage (.571).
DEFENSIVE LEADERS... Gregg Dennison, Albert Paniccia and Ian Olenik have anchored the Friars' defensive line. Through the regular season, Dennison leads the team in caused turnovers (16) and has picked up 22 groundballs. Olenik has caused 15 turnovers and recorded 23 groundballs, while Paniccia has tallied 11 caused turnovers and 41 groundballs.
DAN DONAHUE SOLID IN FIRST SEASON WITH FRIARS... In his first season with the program, grad student Dan Donahue has started each of the Friars' 14 games in between the pipes. He has recorded 153 saves and a .522 save percentage. Donahue ranks third in the BIG EAST in saves per game with 10.92 and fifth in save percentage (.522). Donahue is a three-time BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll selection.
RYAN BELL NAMED TO THE 2025 TEWAARATON WATCH LIST... Providence College senior Ryan Bell (Smithtown, N.Y.) has been named to the 2025 Tewaaraton Watch List. The Tewaaraton Foundation announced its first round of additions on February 6. Bell is the third Providence College player to be named to the Tewaaraton Watch List. He was named to the list last season and joins former Friar goaltenders Toby Burgdorf '21 and Tate Boyce '19. Bell, as a junior, led the Friars in scoring with 66 points on 21 goals and a team-best 45 assists.
RICHIE JOSEPH NAMED USA LACROSSE PLAYER OF THE WEEK... Following his career-high eight-goal performance against Holy Cross (Feb. 1), Richie Joseph was named USA Lacrosse Player of the Week on Feb. 4.
FRIARS DEFEAT DENVER TO CLINCH BIG EAST TOURNAMENT BIRTH...
The Providence College men's lacrosse team defeated No. 16/16 Denver, 10-6, on Friday, April 19 in BIG EAST Conference action at Peter Barton Stadium in Denver, Colo. It marked the Friars' first victory over Denver in the all-time series. The Pioneers had won the previous 15 meetings. Providence also clinched a spot in the BIG EAST Men's Lacrosse Championship with one regular-season game remaining on the schedule.
FRIARS DEFEAT MARQUETTE ON SENIOR DAY... The Providence College men's lacrosse team defeated Marquette (6-5, 1-2 BIG EAST), 14-2, on Saturday, April 12 in Providence, R.I. With the win, the Friars improve to 5-7 on the season and 1-2 in BIG EAST play. Richie Joseph recorded a game-high six points on five goals and one assist. Albert Paniccia anchored the Friars defense with a game-high three caused turnovers and four ground balls.
Providence held Marquette to two goals. It marks the fewest goals Providence has allowed since 2005 when the Friars defeated Siena, 10-2. It also marks the fewest goals the Friars have allowed in a BIG EAST Conference game, since the league began sponsoring lacrosse in 2010.
FRIARS DEFEATED BY VILLANOVA... The Providence College men's lacrosse team was defeated by Villanova (5-5, 2-0 BIG EAST), 11-8 on Saturday, April 5 in Providence, R.I. With the loss, the Friars fell to 4-7 on the season and 0-2 in BIG EAST play. Rhett Chambers, Richie Joseph and Jack Horrigan each recorded two goals for the Friars.
FRIARS DEFEATED BY NO. 17/15 GEORGETOWN... The Providence College men's lacrosse team was defeated by No.17/15 Georgetown (6-3, 1-0 BIG EAST), 14-13, on Saturday, March 29 in Washington, D.C. With the loss, the Friars fell to 4-6 on the season and 0-1 in BIG EAST play. Jack Horrigan led the Friars offense with six points on five goals and one assist. Richie Joseph added five points on three goals and two assists.
FRIARS DEFEATED BY SAINT JOSEPH'S... The Providence College men's lacrosse team was defeated by No.18/19 Saint Joseph's, 16-8, on Saturday, March 22 in Philadelphia, Pa. With the loss, the Friars fell to 4-5 on the season. Ryan Bell led the Friars' offense with two points on one goal and one assist.
FRIARS DEFEATED BY DUKE... The Providence College men's lacrosse team was defeated by No. 6/8 Duke, 16-10, on Wednesday, March 12 in Durham, N.C. Jack Horrigan paced the Friars with five points on four goals and one assist. Freshman Chris Matia added three points on one goal and two assists. Dan Donahue recorded 13 saves and a .448 save percentage.
FRIARS DEFEATED LOYOLA... The Providence College men's lacrosse team defeated Loyola, 12-11, on Saturday, March 8 in Providence, R.I. Ryan Bell paced the Friars with five points on three goals and two assists. Jack Horrigan also added three goals for the Friars.
FRIARS DEFEATED BY NO. RV/18 FAIRFIELD... The Providence College men's lacrosse team was defeated by then-ranked No. RV/18 Fairfield, 15-7, on Saturday, March 1 in Fairfield, Conn. Ryan Bell paced the Friars with three points on one goal and two assists. Jack Horrigan also added two goals for the Friars.
FRIARS DEFEAT MERRIMACK... The Providence College men's lacrosse team defeated Merrimack, 18-7, on Tuesday, Feb. 25 in North Andover, Mass. The Friars improved to 3-2 on the season. Ryan Bell and Jack Horrigan paced the Friars' offense. Bell recorded six points on two goals and four assists, followed by Horrigan with five points on four goals and one assist.
FRIARS FALL TO BROWN... The Providence College men's lacrosse team was defeated by Brown, 7-6, on Saturday, Feb. 22 in Providence, R.I. The Friars dropped to 2-2 on the season. Ryan Bell and Jack Horrigan paced Providence with three points each. Bell became the Friars' all-time leading scorer during the game, while Horrigan reached the 100-point milestone.
PROVIDENCE DEFEATED BY NO. 19/17 HARVARD... The Providence College men's lacrosse team was defeated by No. 19/17 Harvard, 12-10, on Saturday, Feb. 15 in Providence, R.I. It marked the Friars' first loss of the season and moved to 2-1 on the year. Richie Joseph recorded a game-high six points on four goals and two assists. Jack Horrigan and Sam Brazell scored two goals each for the Friars. Quinn McConnaughey went 19-26 at the face-off 'X' and recorded 11 groundballs. Goalkeeper Dan Donahue recorded 12 saves and a .500 save percentage.
PROVIDENCE DEFEATS BRYANT... The Providence College men's lacrosse team defeated Bryant, 15-8, on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Smithfield, R.I. It marked the Friars first win over Bryant since 2020. Parker Kennedy scored a career-high three goals and Ryan Bell added a game-high seven points on one goal and six assists. Dan Donahue recorded 15 saves for the Friars and recorded a save percentage of .556. Albert Paniccia led the defense with five groundballs and two caused turnovers.
PROVIDENCE DEFEATS HOLY CROSS IN HOME OPENER... Providence defeated Holy Cross in its season opener, 15-8, on Saturday, Feb. 1 in Providence, R.I. Richie Joseph led the way with a career-high eight goals, followed by Ryan Bell who recorded a career-high eight assists. Dan Donahue recorded nine saves in his Providence College debut and recorded a save percentage of .643. Quinn McConnaughey went 14-for-18 from the face-off 'X' and picked up seven ground balls.
RYAN BELL AND RICHIE JOSEPH EARN PRESEASON ALL-NEW ENGLAND RECOGNITION... Two members of the Providence College men's lacrosse team were featured on the 2025 Division I Preseason NEILA All-New England Teams. Senior Ryan Bell was named to the First Team, while junior Richie Joseph received Second Team honors.
RYAN BELL NAMED USA LACROSSE PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA HONORABLE MENTION... Senior Ryan Bell was recognized by the USA Lacrosse Association as a 2025 Division I Preseason All-America Third Team selection. Bell, as a junior, led the Friars in scoring last year with 66 points on 21 goals and a team-best 45 assists. He finished the regular season ranked third among NCAA Division I players in assists per game, averaging 3.00. He was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, All-BIG EAST First Team, NEILA All-New England Second Team, USA Lacrosse Magazine Honorable Mention All-American and USILA Honorable Mention All-American.
TWO FRIARS EARN PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST HONORS… Attackers Ryan Bell and Richie Joseph have been named to the 2025 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. Bell also was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Bell and Joseph were two of eight unanimous selections. Last season, Bell was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year and earned First-Team All-BIG EAST honors, while Joseph was named to the Second Team.
RYAN BELL NAMED BIG EAST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR... Ryan Bell is the first player in program history to earn BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year and fifth Friar to earn a major BIG EAST post-season award overall, joining 2017 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Jarrod Neumann and three players who earned BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year (Peter Badgley – 2015, Tate Boyce – 2017, 2019 and James Corasaniti – 2023).
MEET THE STAFF... Providence enters its third season under Head Coach Bobby Benson. In his first two season with the program, he helped the Friars claim a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament. Prior to Providence, Benson spent the two seasons at Maryland as the offensive coordinator during the Terps' run to the NCAA title in 2022. Maryland registered a 33-1 record during Benson's tenure, earned two Big Ten Championships and made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Championship game. Casey Brodersen, who spent 12 seasons as the Associate Head Coach at Bryant, was hired by Bobby Benson to serve as Associate Head Coach at Providence in 2023. He helped the Bulldogs to six NEC titles and five NCAA Tournament appearances. Carroll Kennedy joined the Friars as an Assistant Coach in 2023. Kennedy worked alongside Benson at Maryland during the 2022 season and was previously named USILA Assistant Coach of the Year while at Limestone University in 2015. Shawn Ewert joined the staff for the 2024 season as an Assistant Coach. Before joining the Providence staff, Ewert spent the previous two seasons at Florida Southern, where he served as assistant coach and offensive coordinator. During his tenure, he helped guide Florida Southern to a 25-11 record.
FRIARS PICKED TO FINISH FOURTH IN BIG EAST PRESEASON POLL... Providence was picked to finish fourth in the 2025 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll (15 points). Georgetown was picked to win the league, having collected five first-place votes and 25 points overall. Denver (20 points) was second and Villanova (16 points) was selected third. Rounding out the conference standings was Marquette (seven points) and St. John's (seven points).
Players Mentioned
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Defense
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Goalie
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Attack
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Midfield
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FO / Midfield
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Midfield
/ Men's LacrosseLAX vs. Marquette
Saturday, April 17
LAX vs. St. John's
Saturday, April 10
LAX vs. Denver
Saturday, March 27
LAX vs. Georgetown
Saturday, March 20
