The men's lacrosse team, now 3-2 on the season, will begin Ivy League play this weekend, hosting Yale on Saturday.
"Yale is definitely the biggest match of the season so far," said co-captain Chazz Woodson '05. Yale brings a 5-2 record into the meeting, as well as high ranks in several statistical categories. They have the sixth-best scoring offense in the country and are ranked second in face-off wins. Yale also has a confident man-down defense that ranks 12th in the nation, killing 83 percent of their penalties.
However, Yale's offense capitalizes on less than 30 percent of its man-up opportunities. This is an important factor in the game, as Brown's man-down defense has struggled this season, killing less than 75 percent of its penalties. The Bears will look to "keep man-down at a minimum ... and play better man-down defense," said co-captain Dan Spinosa '05.
Penalties proved the Bears' undoing in their recent loss to defending national champion Syracuse University, in which an unreleaseable equipment penalty left them down a man for three minutes in the second quarter. 'Cuse docked three goals during the penalty after converting on another man-up opportunity in the first quarter. Those four goals allowed the Orange to squeeze out a 9-8 win.
Man-down defense has been a focus during practice this week. "We're in a little rut man-down-wise," said Head Coach Scott Nelson. But he praised the versatility and tenacious play of the defensive unit, which will look to excel, man-down or not, when the game strategy "gives them the freedom to react," he said.
Filling the ranks at defense are Spinosa, Reece Pacheco '05 and James Faello '06, "a great group of guys who have been playing together for a couple of years now," Spinosa said. Their familiarity fosters communication and responsibility, indispensable commodities of a successful defensive unit. The defense also relies on Bobby Shields '07, who has been a dominant force in his first two seasons, and Chris Kearney '06, who brings added depth.
In goal is Nick Gentilesco '06, who averages 10.4 saves per game. Gentilesco showed great toughness against Syracuse, playing with a broken bone in his hand during the second half. With Gentilesco's play and that of the defense, Brown has only let in 38 goals this season, 13th in the nation.
Co-captain Chris Mucciolo '05, Kirk Teatom '05 and co-captain Britton Derkac '05 look to continue their outstanding midfield play. Mucciolo recorded 24 points for the Bears last season and Derkac contributed 12 goals. Teatom shines at his faceoff duties and has won 51 of the 90 faceoffs he has taken.
The Bears have depth enough to supply the demanding midfield position behind that threesome. Alex Buckley '07, who doubles as an attackman, scored four goals on four shots against Quinnipiac University. William McGettigan '06 takes the face-offs when Teatom is sitting, while Michael Bernard '07 and Will Davis '07 are "good players just waiting to break out," Nelson said. All told, the midfielders have contributed 22 of the team's 37 goals this season.
At attack, Woodson and Dave Madeira '07 have turned in consistently impressive performances. Woodson has 24 points this season, already halfway to surpassing his 48-point campaign in 2004. Madeira has 10 points on the season to compliment Woodson.
Brown's performance in the Ivy League will largely determine whether or not they receive a NCAA tournament berth, which they just missed last year after finishing 9-5.
"I'd be lying if I said we weren't excited about the Ivy season and winning a championship. A championship was a goal of ours from the beginning of the season, but we have resolved not to talk about it," Woodson said.
The squad looks to let their play do the talking against the Bulldogs at 2 p.m. Saturday.
