.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Brown To Face-Off Against Denver On Sunday In NCAA Tournament
5/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Providence, R.I. - In a battle of two of the nation's top offenses, the tenth-ranked Brown men's lacrosse team will travel to Denver, Colorado, to face-off against the third-ranked Denver Pioneers on Sunday, May 3 in the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship. It's battle of conference champions, with Brown sharing the Ivy League Championship and Denver winning the Big East Championship. All the action starts at 3pm (EST) in a game televised by ESPNU. Click here to purchase tickets through the Brown Sports Foundation.
The Bears: Tenth-ranked Brown (12-4) will be making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2009 after a turn-around season where they earned a share of the Ivy League Championship and the number one seed in the Ivy Tournament. Brown lacrosse teams have won 12 or more games seven previous times. The school record for wins is 13 by Brown teams in 1966, 1991 and 1994.
The Pioneers: #3 Denver (13-2) earned the fourth seed in the NCA Tournament after capturing its second straight Big East Championship, defeating Georgetown, 16-8, in the championship game. The Pioneers, coached by former Princeton coach Bill Tierney, are making their sixth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance and eighth in program history. Denver had Top 20 wins over Duke, Notre Dame, Georgetown, and Marquette, with losses to North Carolina and Ohio State.
Brown In The NCAA's: Brown will be making its 13 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Bears were a Final Four team in 1994 and last appeared in the NCAA Playoffs in 2009, falling to Johns Hopkins, 12-11, in overtime in Baltimore. The Bears have made previously NCAA Tournament appearances in 1971, 1973, 1976, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997 and 2009.
Ivy League Champions: Brown earned its ninth Ivy League Championship in 2015, having previously won Ivy titles in 1969, 1973, 1985, 1991, 1994, 1995, 2008, and 2010.
The Brown-Denver Series Record: Brown and Denver have met four times, dating back to 2000, with the series tied, 2-2. The Bears earned a 12-11 win over the Pioneers in Providence in 2009. Denver defeated the Bears in Denver, 11-8, in 2008.
Molloy Named Ivy League Co-Player of the Year; Tiffany Selected Ivy Coach of the Year: Brown sophomore attackman Dylan Molloy (Setauket, NY) headlined the All-Ivy Men's Lacrosse team by being named the Ivy League Co-Player of the Year. Molloy was a unanimous first team All-Ivy selection along with junior goalie Jack Kelly (West Islip, NY). Earning second team All-Ivy honors were sophomore long stick middy Larken Kemp (Greenwich, CT) and sophomore defenseman Alec Tulett (Toronto, Ontario), while senior middy Nick Piroli (Black River, NY) earned honorable mention All-Ivy honors. Brown head coach Lars Tiffany was the unanimous selection for Ivy League Coach of the Year.
Lighting Up The Scoreboard: Brown and Denver are two of the highest scoring teams in the nation. The Bears rank fifth nationally with 14.25 goals per game and scored 22 goals vs. both Michigan and Manhattan. Denver is sixth in the nation in scoring with 14.0 goals per game, and scored 19 goals vs. Georgetown and 18 goals vs. Marquette and St. John's.
Molloy Leads Nation In Scoring; Ties School Record For Single Season Goals: Sophomore attackman Dylan Molloy (Setauket, NY), the Ivy League and New England Player of the Year, and a unanimous first team All-Ivy selection, leads the nation in goals (3.69 gpg) and ranks third nationally in points (5.56 ppg). Molloy's 59 goals in 2015 ties the Brown single season record, held by Andy Towers in 1991. He is one of 25 players nationally to be named a Tewaarton Award nominee, given to nation's top player. Molloy moved into 22nd place on Brown's all-time scoring list with 88 goals and 40 assists for 128 career points. Molloy was named the Ivy League Player of the Week for the second time after scoring five goals and handing out two assists in Brown's win over Dartmouth, vaulting the Bears to the Ivy League Championship and the number one seed in the Ivy Tournament. Molloy displayed his versatility in Brown's win over #10 Cornell, scoring two goals and handing out five assists. He netted five goals vs. Yale and had three goals and two assists vs. Penn. He exploded for eight goals in Brown's overtime win over Marist, equaling his career single game high. Molloy had two goals and three assists in Brown's win over Manhattan. He scored three goals in Brown's 14-9 win over #10 Harvard. Molloy was named the USILA, NCAA and Ivy League Player of the Week after matching the Brown school record for points in a game (13) by scoring a career high eight goals and dishing out five assists in the Bears' 22-12 win over Michigan. He tied the Brown record of 13 points, held by USILA Player of the Year Darren Lowe '92 against Boston College in 1991, and All-American Oliver Marti '93 vs. New Hampshire in 1993. He also registered six goals in 30 minutes vs. Hartford. Molloy scored a then career-high seven goals and handed out two assists in the Bears' win over UMass. Molloy picked up where he left off a year ago, scoring five goals in Brown's season-opening win over Quinnipiac. Last year, the honorable mention All-Ivy selection led the Bears and ranked sixth in the Ivy League with 29 goals, while adding 10 assists and 37 ground balls.
Brown – Top 10 Single Season Goal Scorers
1. 59 Andy Towers '94 1991
59 Dylan Molloy '17 2015
3. 57 Oliver Marti '93 1992
4. 50 Rich Tuohey '90 1990
50 David Evans '96 1995
6. 47 Tom Draper '64 1963
47 Bob Scalise '71 1970
8. 46 Oliver Marti '93 1993
46 Andy Towers '94 1993
46 Tad Barrows '80 1980
46 Bob Scalise '71 1971
BROWN LACROSSE:TOP 25 ALL-TIME LEADING SCORERS (5/3/15)
Player G A Pts.
1. Darren Lowe (1992) 111 205 316
2. David Evans (1996) 145 87 232
3. Tom Gagnon (1986) 109 99 208
4. Andy Towers (1993) 150 53 203
5. Oliver Marti (1993) 144 27 171
6. Rick Handelman (1980) 59 109 168
7. Tom Draper (1964) 123 39 162
Andrew Feinberg (2011) 124 38 162
9. John Keogh (1986) 83 75 158
10. Thomas Muldoon (2010) 116 37 153
11. Jamie Munro (1989) 88 64 152
12. Bernie Buonano (1988) 83 66 149
13. Mick Matthews (1985) 66 80 146
14. Bob Anthony (1970) 48 97 145
15. Stephen Russo (1973) 57 86 143
16. John Meister (1979) 67 71 138
17. Bob Scalise (1971) 121 16 137
Jon Thompson (2003) 97 43 137
19. Angelo Lobosco (1981) 100 35 135
20. Brian McNally (1996) 80 52 132
21. Jay McMahon (1991) 92 37 129
22. Dylan Molloy '17 88 40 128
23. Rick Buck (1970) 41 86 127
24. Neil Munro (1992) 74 52 126
25. Rich Tuohey (1990) 101 24 125
Did You Know?: Brown is competing in its 65th season of intercollegiate lacrosse… Dylan Molloy '17 led the Brown team with 29 goals last year, and already has 59 goals in 2015, tying the Brown school record. He is one of the few players in Ivy history to combine for 40 goals and 20 assists, now with 59 goals and 30 assists. He joins David Evans '96 (41 goals, 28 assists in 1994) and Andy Towers '94 (46 goals, 21 assists in 1993) as the only Brown players in this category…Brown beat Princeton in back-to-back games for the first time since 1989 and beat the Tigers in Princeton, NJ for the first time since 1991.
Kelly Named NCAA National Defensive Player/Ivy League Player of the Week: Junior goalie Jack Kelly (West Islip, NY), a tri-captain for the Bears and unanimous first team All-Ivy selection, leads the Ivy League and ranks 10th nationally in save percentage (.567), while his 11.69 saves per game leads the Ivies and is 11th nationally. Kelly, who also earned All-New England honors, was named the NCAA Defensive Player of the Week, the Lacrosse Magazine Player of the Week and the Ivy League Player of the Week after coming up with 21 spectacular saves in Brown's 15-6 win over #10 Cornell. Kelly made 14 first half saves against the Big Red and held Cornell to just two second half goals, while making seven saves. He had a 10 save performance against Bryant and 15 saves vs. Dartmouth. His 13 saves vs. Providence helped the Bears to a 15-11 win over the Friars. He made 15 saves against Penn and 10 vs. Yale. Kelly proved to be the difference in Brown's 10-8 win over #9 Princeton with 15 saves. He played just a half against Manhattan and made six saves, while allowing two goals. Kelly registered nine saves vs. Harvard, including a point blank fourth quarter save with Brown down two men. He had 14 saves vs. Michigan and made eight saves, while allowing just one goal in 30-minutes of play vs. Hartford. He was superb in Brown's season debut, making his 15 saves in just over three quarters of play, exiting early in the fourth quarter. Last year, Kelly led the Ivy League and ranked ninth in the nation in saves per game (11.21), and ranked 15th nationally in save percentage (.547).
Bears Wear Throwback Uniforms: Commemorating Brown University's year-long 250th Anniversary celebration, the Brown men's lacrosse team wore throwback uniforms at home against Cornell and on the road at Dartmouth. Brown will wear its throwback uniforms against Denver in the NCAA Tournament.
Brown's Weekly Award Winners:
3/10 Dylan Molloy, A Ivy League Player of the Week
NCAA Defensive Player of the Week
USILA National Defensive Player of the Week
3/16 Larken Kemp, LSM Ivy League Player of the Week
USILA National Defensive Player of the Week
3/30 Larken Kemp, LSM Ivy League Player of the Week
Baltimore Sun National Defensive Player of the Week
4/20 Jack Kelly, G Ivy League Player of the Week
NCAA Defensive Player of the Week
Lacrosse Magazine Player of the Week
4/27 Dylan Molloy, A Ivy League Player of the Week
Caputo Tops Midfield Scorers: Junior middy Brendan Caputo (Westbury, NY), a first team All-New England selection, is the Bears top scorer from the midfield with 37 points (25 goals, 12 assists). Caputo netted two goals in Brown's win over Dartmouth to earn the Ivy League Championship. He paced the Bears with two goals and one assist in the Bears win over Bryant. Caputo netted a goal and had two assists in Brown's win over #10 Cornell. He had a three goal performance in the Bears' 10-8 road win over #9 Princeton and netted three goals vs. Yale. Caputo netted two goals in Brown wins over Manhattan and Providence. He scored a key man-down goal against Harvard midway through the fourth quarter and finished with two goals against the Crimson.
Kemp – Fourth Nationally In Caused Turnovers: Sophomore long stick middy Larken Kemp (Greenwich, CT) is a first team All-New England and second team All-Ivy selection. He had a goal and an assist in the Bears' win over #10 Cornell, ranks fourth in the nation with 2.13 caused turnovers per game, and is 28th nationally in ground balls (4.87 per game). Kemp had a goal and three caused turnovers in the Bears win over Bryant. He continues to be prove he's one of the top defensive midfielders in the nation, being named the Ivy League Player of the Week for the second time and being heralded as the National Defensive Player of the Week by the Baltimore Sun following Brown wins over Marist and #9 Princeton. Kemp turned in a yeoman's performance in Brown's 10-8 win over the Tigers, helping the Bears win at Princeton for the first time in 24 years. He scored two goals and handed out an assist in Brown's fast-break offense while picking up four ground balls. He also helped Brown's defense hold Princeton to just eight goals while marking one of its midfield stars, Zach Currier, to just one late goal. Kemp scored a goal and added an assist in Brown's 16-15 overtime win over Marist, while picking up five ground balls and causing a turnover. Kemp was also named the USILA National Defensive Player of the Week and the Ivy League's Co-Player of the Week on March 16th after turning in a dominating defensive performance against Harvard, wreaking havoc and disrupting the Crimson attack with eight caused turnovers, four ground balls and a fourth-quarter goal. Kemp had five ground balls and four caused turnovers vs. Michigan, and picked up five ground balls vs. Manhattan.
Congratulations Brown Seniors: Brown honored its eight seniors in pre-game ceremonies on April 18 against Cornell game at Stevenson Field. This year's group has posted a 35-24 four-year record so far throughout their Brown careers. Brown's Class of 2015 includes: Corbin Booker, tri-captain Tim Jacob, Tyler Landis, Stephen Loudon, Nick Piroli, Jordan Schochet, tri-captain Will Swindell and Nick Weeden.
Head Coach Lars Tiffany: Lars Tiffany '90 was named the Ivy League Coach of the Year and New England Coach of the Year in 2015 after guiding Brown to the Ivy League Championship and number one seed in the Ivy Tournament. A two-time Brown lacrosse captain, Tiffany returned to his alma mater as head men's lacrosse coach in the summer of 2006, and has returned the program to national prominence with Ivy League titles in 2008, 2010 and 2015, and NCAA Championship berths in 2009 and 2015. Tiffany was also named the New England Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2009 while leading his team to the number one ranking in New England each year. Tiffany occupies the Rothman Head Coaching Chair for Men's Lacrosse, an endowed position.
Gural 12th Nationally In Face-offs: Junior face-off specialist Will Gural (Haverford, PA), a second team All-New England selection, was spectacular in Brown's Ivy Playoff game vs. Yale, capturing 16-of-20 faceoffs against the Bulldogs. He ranks 12th in the nation in face-off percentage at .597. He had a hard-fought winning battle (13-of-24) vs. Cornell's Domenic Massimilian, who ranked second in the nation. Gural won 14-of-22 face-offs vs. Providence, while adding a goal. He also excelled in the face-off x vs. Princeton, giving the Bears a 12-9 advantage. He is second on the Brown team and ranks 25th nationally with 5.17 ground balls per game. Gural won 7-of-9 face-offs vs. Manhattan, and captured 16-of-25 face-offs vs. Harvard, including 8-of-9 in the fourth quarter. Gural also posted a big game against Bucknell, winning 15-of-23 face-offs. He also had a strong game vs. Michigan, winning 21-of-34 face-offs against the Wolverines. Gural earned the starting nod in the face-off x to open the season and dominated Quinnipiac by winning 15-of-19 face-offs.
Blynn Nets Career Best Six Goals vs. PC: Bears' junior attackman Henry Blynn (Villanova, PA), Brown's second leading scorer with 50 points (37 goals, 13 assists) exploded for a career high six goals vs. Providence, while adding three assists against the Friars. His 2.31 goals per game rank 37th nationally and eighth in the Ivy League. Blynn led the Bears with four goals and two assists in a win over #10 Cornell. He fired in four goals in Brown's 10-8 win over #9 Princeton and registered four goals in the Bears' 22-9 win over Manhattan. Blynn returned to the lineup after a year's absence due to injury and scored just 17 seconds into Brown's season opening win over Quinnipiac. He has now scored four goals four times this season – in wins over Michigan, UMass, Manhattan and Princeton - and tossed in two goals against Bucknell. He added a goal and three assists vs. Hartford. Blynn led the Brown team in scoring as a freshman in 2013 with 35 points (27 goals, 8 assists), and scored five goals in back-to-back games against High Point and North Carolina.
Defensive Unit: Sophomore defenseman Alec Tulett (Toronto, Canada), a two-year starter for the Bears and All-New England selection in 2015, is equally effective as a close defenseman or long-stick midfielder. Tulett picked-up a game high seven ground balls against Yale in the Ivy league Tournament and had a game high eight ground balls in Brown's win over #10 Cornell. He registered three caused turnovers vs. Bucknell and four vs. Manhattan. Tulett picked up six ground balls vs. both Princeton and Marist, and leads the Brown team in ground balls (5.06 per game), 24th nationally. Senior tri-captain Will Swindell (Greenwich, CT) picked up four ground balls against Yale in the Ivy Tournament and had four ground balls and two caused turnovers vs. Manhattan. He also caused two turnovers vs. Cornell. Swindell started seven games last season and plays a key role in Brown's clearing game and communicating the slides… Senior Stephen Loudon (Babylon, NY), who also plays football at Brown (fullback), has also emerged as a starter at close defense for the Bears.
All New England: Senior attackman Dylan Molloy was named the New England Player of the Year and Bears' head coach Lars Tiffany was tabbed the New England Coach of the Year. Joining Molloy on the All-New England first team is junior middy Brendan Caputo, sophomore long stick middy Larken Kemp, sophomore defenseman Alec Tulet and junior goalie Jack Kelly. Junior face-off specialist Will Gural earned second team All-New England honors.
Piroli Back In The Lineup: Senior middy Nick Piroli (Black River, NY) missed all of last season due to injury and responded with two goals and two assists for the Bears in their season opener Quinnipiac. Piroli, who had a goal and three assists vs. Dartmouth, came up big in Brown's win over #10 Cornell with two goals and an assist. He had a goal and an assist vs. Yale, two goals and two assists in the Bears' win over Marist, and had a key goal in the Bears win over #9 Princeton. Piroli had three assists vs. Manhattan, and two assists vs. Harvard. Piroli was one of the top first year players in the nation as a freshman with 23 goals and a .442 shooting percentage that ranked 18th nationally. Piroli, who came into the season with 39 career goals for the Bears, will see action both on attack and in the midfield.
Bellistri On The Attack: Junior Kylor Bellistri (Potomac, MD), the Bears' third leading scorer with 40 points (33 goals, 7 assists) registered a hat-trick in Brown's win over Dartmouth. He netted an overtime goal to lift Brown to a 16-15 win over Marist. Bellistri tossed in three goals against Providence and had a goal and an assist vs. #10 Cornell. He registered three goals vs. Penn, and scored four goals in Brown wins over Manhattan and Michigan. Bellistri tossed in three goals vs. Bucknell, and stepped up against Harvard with two goals. He scored three goals and handed out two assists vs. UMass after netting two goals in Brown's season opening win over Quinnipiac. Bellistri is equally adept at scoring from the outside or in tight, and ranked third on the 2014 Brown team with 31 points (20 goals and 11 assists).
Brown's Probable Starters
Attack 4 Dylan Molloy, So.
Attack 6 Henry Blynn, Jr.
Attack 8 Kylor Bellistri, Jr.
Midfield 10 Nick Piroli, Sr.
Midfield 17 Tim Jacob, Sr.
Midfield 41 Brendan Caputo, Jr.
Defense 25 Alec Tulett, So.
Defense 44 Will Swindell, Sr.
Defense 50 Steven Loudon, Sr.
Goalie 91 Jack Kelly, Jr.
F/O 36 Will Gural, Jr.
DM 23 Nick Weeden, Sr.
LSM 42 Larken Kemp, So.
2015 NCAA Division I Lacrosse Championship (Sat.-Sun., May 9-10, at site of seeded team)
No. 1 Notre Dame (10-2) vs. Towson (12-5) Saturday, 5 p.m., ESPNU
No. 8 Cornell (10-5) vs. Albany (15-2) Saturday, Noon, ESPNU
No. 5 Duke (12-5) vs. Ohio State (11-6) Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU
No. 4 Denver (13-2) vs. Brown (12-4), Sunday, 3 p.m., ESPNU
No. 3 North Carolina (12-3) vs. Colgate (10-5) Sunday, 5:15 p.m., ESPNU
No. 6 Maryland (12-3) vs. Yale (11-4), Saturday, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU
No. 7 Virginia (10-4) vs. Johns Hopkins (9-6), Sunday, 1 p.m., ESPNU
No. 2 Syracuse (12-2) vs. Marist (14-3), Sunday, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU
