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Post by rooster on Aug 10, 2023 18:14:08 GMT -5
Friars pick up a recruit for the 2024 class - Luke Fliss from Pittsford, NY (Rochester area)
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Post by plusFriar on Aug 11, 2023 8:25:39 GMT -5
Let’s go!!!!!
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Post by rooster on Aug 14, 2023 16:09:52 GMT -5
Baltimore area product coming to PC in 2024
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Post by rooster on Aug 15, 2023 12:18:04 GMT -5
Third full time assistant joins the staff -
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Post by rooster on Sept 2, 2023 9:59:42 GMT -5
For those who have the time (its around 30min) - a podcast with coach Benson, on how he recruits, his staff, what he looks for in a player, etc. Interesting interview. FYI, 2025 recruits can start committing as of Sept. 1.
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Post by rooster on Sept 5, 2023 8:23:43 GMT -5
Write up or "fall snapshot" of the Friars headed into the 2024 season
Fall Snapshot: Providence Friars by Tanner Demling
Head Coach: Bobby Benson (Second Season, 2023-Current)
Providence 2023 Record: 6-9 (2-3 Big East)
Key Departures: Jack Kilian (SSDM)
Key Returners: Ryan Bell (M), Jack Horrigan (A), Michael Chabra (M), Grant Latmier (D), James Corsanti (G)
Transfer Additions: Luke Jaber (A, Bentley)
Staff Changes: Hires – Shawn Ewert (Assistant Coach) | Losses – N/A
Year one under Bobby Benson was a solid one for the Providence Friars. They went 6-9 overall and 2-3 in Big East play. That included headlining wins over eventual MAAC and CAA runner-ups Siena and Stony Brook in non-conference play. The Friars took down Marquette 16-14 and St. John’s 12-11 to bookend their Big East slate with wins. Providence saw its season end with a 19-8 loss to Georgetown in the conference semifinals.
Providence featured a fairly young core last season with four of its top five scorers being either a sophomore or freshman. On the back end, the Friars also saw a sophomore start at close and a freshman serve as one of their top LSMs.
With nearly all of its top-end talent returning in 2024, Providence will be looking to find even more success during year two of the Benson era.
Burning Questions
Does The Defense Make a Jump?
After multiple years of defensive play that was among the best in the Big East and college lacrosse in general, the Friars have struggled on that end of the field each of the past few seasons. Providence has allowed 14 goals per game each of the past two season, ranking near the bottom of DI in scoring defense. The Friars allowed 15 goals per game against Big East teams, which included giving up 13, 20, and 13 goals versus Georgetown, Villanova, and Denver in consecutive weeks.
Fairfield transfer James Corsaniti anchored the defense with 199 saves and a 49% save percentage. Three-year starter Grant Latimer led the way out in front of the cage, starting all 15 games at close while collecting 27 ground balls and causing 17 turnovers. Gregg Dennison (28GB/13CT) played and started at close in the first 11 games as a sophomore while Ian Olenik (23GB/9CT) was the Friars’ top LSM as a freshman. SSDM Jack Kilian (21GB/10CT) was the team’s top SSDM and is the only major personnel losses from last spring on the back end.
Given how young some of the Friars’ major pieces on defense were last season, improvement should be expected. The question remains, however, just how much this unit can take a step forward.
Will The Faceoff Situation Improve?
During the 2023 season, Providence was one of the worst teams in college lacrosse at the faceoff dot as the Friars went 40% as a team. Judged against Big East competition, Providence was better but still a bottom feeder as they went 46.9% against conference opponents.
Quinn McConnaughey served as Providence’s primary faceoff man last spring and went 101-for-216 (46.8%). That followed a season in which he went 49% as a freshman in 2022. Tom Fegley went 57-for-140 (40%) as the backup. LSM Ian Olenik took the next most faceoffs, going 9-for-42 (21%) with the long pole.
In 2024, Providence returns McConnaughey as a sophomore. Fegley is also back as a senior while the Friars bring in Spencer Liston (Wilton, Conn.) as a freshman. Among that crop, the Friars will be looking to find better success at the dot than last spring.
Can The Clearing Improve?
Providence was a bottom-10 team in the clearing game last season as the Friars cleared the ball at an 82% clip in 2023. The Friars, however, did see improvement as the year went on and went 84% through their final six games of the season, all of which came versus Big East opponents. That stretch included Providence going 21-for-23 (91%) in the clearing game versus Villanova, who held their opponents to an 81% clip on the season.
Heading into next spring, the clearing game has to be a prime area where Providence will be looking to improve drastically from last season.
Potential Breakout Player
Albert Paniccia, SSDM, Junior
Paniccia was part of the Providence rope unit last season as he grabbed 14 ground balls and caused four turnovers as their No. 2 SSDM. He also had three goals and one assists, showing his ability to impact the game on both ends.
Freshman Class
Providence brings in a 14-man freshman class with its 2023 recruiting efforts.
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Post by rooster on Sept 23, 2023 17:11:24 GMT -5
A couple of new commitments - Andrew Scott - a D for the 2024 class. Plays at the Kiski School in Pittsburgh. First recruit for the 2025 class is Jack Bonello, an attack from the Episcopal School in Va. http://instagram.com/p/CxiZWowPLk-h
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Post by rooster on Sept 24, 2023 17:25:16 GMT -5
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Post by rooster on Sept 26, 2023 9:03:11 GMT -5
Another recruit for the 2024 class - Stone Evans from Cushing Academy. From Hartford, but was able to play for Team Jamaica in this summer's World Championships. He was previously committed to Air Force before decommitting. http://instagram.com/p/CxoiY7atwEY
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Post by rooster on Sept 29, 2023 12:19:51 GMT -5
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Post by rooster on Oct 13, 2023 11:44:00 GMT -5
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Post by rooster on Oct 19, 2023 9:05:05 GMT -5
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Post by rooster on Oct 20, 2023 9:31:18 GMT -5
2025 commitments starting to pick up - today's is Sam Clark from Glen Ellyn, ILL. Another recruit from a "non-traditional" lacrosse area... http://instagram.com/p/CymQbliOKH4
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thefriarman
Administrator
Global Moderator
Posts: 5,794
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Post by thefriarman on Oct 20, 2023 9:45:48 GMT -5
I always wonder how does one know if they are getting good recruits for lacrosse?
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Post by rooster on Oct 20, 2023 9:55:14 GMT -5
I always wonder how does one know if they are getting good recruits for lacrosse? There are rankings just like any other sport. PCs 2025 class includes several 3 Star players already
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