Suspended Seniors Return in Brown's Upset of No. 6 Villanova

Brown wasted no time showing what it’s capable of at full strength.

Seven seniors, including four starters, returned to the lineup Monday after missing the last four games due to a suspension stemming from a noise violation at a house shared by the players, according to Inside Lacrosse. The Bears responded with a 13-11 upset of No. 6-ranked Villanova, snapping a three-game losing streak.

Attackman Devon McLane had three goals and three assists, midfielder Griffin King had two goals and two assists and midfielder Logan Paff broke the Wildcats’ 10-man ride with a 57-yard heave that landed in the net.

All three players were among those coming off suspensions, as was defensive midfielder Trevor Yeboah-Kodie (two ground balls).

Logan Paff from deep!#EverTrue pic.twitter.com/1WDhVp1lvr

— Brown Men's Lacrosse (@BrownU_MLAX) March 27, 2023

Brown went 1-3 in their absence, defeating Stony Brook before suffering losses to North Carolina, Harvard and UMass. Its last two losses were by one goal.

The Bears (4-4, 0-1 Ivy League) trailed 7-6 at halftime but scored six unanswered goals in the third quarter to take control of the game. They won seven of eight faceoffs during the frame, after the starting specialists on both sides exited with injuries. Brown backup Dash Sachs went 13-for-18 in relief of Matthew Gunty.

Goalie Connor Theriault was sensational with 22 saves, which helped compensate for the Bears’ 26 turnovers. Villanova (7-2, 0-0 Big East) failed to muster much offense beyond midfielder Matt Campbell (four goals) and attackman Patrick Daly (three goals).

The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Wildcats, who scored twice in the fourth quarter to pull within 13-11. Daly appeared to pull them within one on a putback with 22 seconds left, but he landed in the crease.