Men's Lacrosse Drops Non-Conference Matchup at Villanova

Monday, March 17

Villanova, PA

3 p.m.

Brown University

2-5

Villanova

3-5

BROWNM

Villanova

Photo by: Jon Ratner

Men's Lacrosse Drops Non-Conference Matchup at Villanova

3/17/2025 6:42:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova Wildcats (3-5, 0-0 Big East) held off a second half comeback effort to take a 16-9 home win over the Brown Bears (2-5, 0-1 Ivy League) on St. Patrick's Day Monday at Villanova Stadium.

"Today was as poor of a first half performance as I have seen in years in all three phases: the middle third, offensively, and defensively," said head coach Jon Torpey. "We challenged the team at halftime, and I believe they responded but you can't spot a well-coached team with talented players a seven-goal lead.

"We have a lot to clean up in a short period of time if we want to compete with an incredibly talented UMass team on Saturday. My staff and I will work hard to find answers and I know our young men will do their very best to execute."

The Wildcats tallied the game's first goals in a defensively oriented opening quarter. Gavin Michener scored with 12:42 remaining and Nick Lucchesi added the second goal with 4:19 remaining.

Connor Foley (7 saves) finished the opening quarter with six saves. Aidan McLane had the best offensive chance of the frame but hit the post with 2:42 remaining.

Villanova extended the lead in the second quarter with two goals from Colin Michener and another goal apiece from Lucchesi, Brady Dumont, and Jake Melchionni to extend the lead to 5-0.

Villanova goalie Denis Fargione was stellar in the opening half with 10 saves. His 19 total saves marked a career-high for the freshman.

Jeremy Hopsicker broke the Wildcat run a minute into the third quarter with his fourth of the season off a feed from Marcus Wertheim.

McLane tallied his first of the game with 11:09 remaining and just over a minute later, goalie Andy Demopoulos (2 saves) tallied his first career goal with a full field shot to cut the Wildcat lead to six.

McLane recorded his second of the game with 2:31 remaining in the third. Hopsicker opened the fourth quarter with his second goal of the afternoon and completed the hat trick with 12:21 remaining off an assist from Forrest Demetri.

Owen Richter tallied his first career pole goal 12 seconds later with Wertheim adding his fourth assist of the game.

Hopsicker ripped a feed from Ben Scandone past Fargione for his fourth goal of the game to cut the Wildcat lead to six with 8:13 remaining in the fourth.

Wertheim tallied his first goal and fifth point of the game with six minutes remaining to bring the Bears back within six.

Harry Laferriere took over in goal for Brown to start the fourth quarter and recorded two saves.

GAME NOTES

Wertheim set a career-high with the four assists and matched a career-high with his second consecutive five-point game.
Hopsicker recorded his first career hat trick set a career mark with the four points.
Mark Witt recorded his first career assist and third career point.
Brown finished the game with a 47-39 shots advantage and a 28-27 edge in shots on goal.
The Bears went 25-for-29 on clears with Villanova finishing 25-for-30. Villanova had 22 turnovers compared to 15 for Brown.
The Wildcats won the faceoff battle, 18-10, with Princeton transfer Tyler Sandoval finishing 9-for-15.

The Bears continue the road trip with a non-conference meeting with the 16th-ranked UMass Minutemen (6-1, 0-0 Patriot) on Saturday, March 22 at Garber Field. Saturday's game is scheduled to begin at noon and will stream on ESPN+.

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