Denver and Marquette will clash on FS1.
#BIGEASTmlax Minute – Three Games; Three Spots Remain
BIG EAST Men's Lacrosse Update - 4.26.19 (PDF)
NEW YORK – This weekend is the final weekend of the 2019 BIG EAST men’s lacrosse regular season. There are three spots remaining in the tournament field for the upcoming BIG EAST Men’s Lacrosse Championship presented by Jeep and there are three games to play. All three games will be covered as FS1 will broadcast Friday’s Denver at Marquette clash, CBSSN will have the St. John’s at Georgetown game and BEDN will carry the Villanova at Providence contest.
There are eight different seeding scenarios. Should Denver win on Friday, Villanova and Providence will clinch two of the remaining three spots. There is a particular scenario which could have five teams: Denver, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence and Villanova tied at 3-2. In this case, seeding will be determined by goal differential among the five tied teams.
The bracket for the 2019 men’s lacrosse championship will be released following Saturday’s games.
Why We’re Watching:
No. 12/14 Denver at Marquette, Friday at 9 p.m. ET (FS1)
Denver has already clinched one of the four playoff berths, but Marquette is still in the hunt. A win for Denver would guarantee at least of share of its sixth BIG EAST regular season title. The match will air on FS1 with Scott Sudikoff and Rich Donovan on the call. The Pioneers come into Friday night coming off a 14-8 win over Providence. Marquette played a non-league game last weekend against then-No. 3 Duke. The Golden Eagles fell just short of a top 3 upset with a Blue Devil golden goal scored in extra time. Denver is 3-3 away from Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium this season. Marquette is 3-2 at home. Denver leads the regular series record over Marquette, 6-0. Marquette however is 2-1 over the Pios in BIG EAST Tournament play. Denver won last year’s meeting in Denver, 7-4. Denver’s scoring leader is Ethan Walker with 44 points (33G, 11A). Marquette is led by Tanner Thomson with 38 points (26G, 12A). Denver’s lone loss in BIG EAST regular season play since joining the conference in 2014 was against Villanova on April 6, 12-11 in Denver.
No. 17/18 Villanova at Providence; Saturday at 1 p.m. ET (BEDN)
Villanova is currently tied with Denver at the top of the league standings at 3-1. The Wildcats hold the tie-breaker over the Pioneers and would earn the No. 1 seed in the tournament should both Denver and Villanova finish at 4-1. Villanova also earned a share of the BIG EAST men’s lacrosse regular season title in 2013. Ironically, both Villanova and Providence need Denver to win to clinch a BIG EAST championship berth. Providence is 2-2 in league action and has lost to Denver and Georgetown. Villanova’s lone loss was also to Georgetown, 16-13 on April 14. Villanova is coming off a 16-5 victory over St. John’s at home on Saturday. Providence will look to rebound from a 14-8 loss at Denver. Saturday is the 12th meeting all-time between Villanova and Providence. Villanova has won the last seven. Last year, the Wildcats defeated the Friars 10-9 at home. Villanova midfielder Connor Kirst is the Villanova points leader with 43 (27G, 16A). Providence has two point leaders with Nick Hatzipetrakos (35G, 6A) and Brendan Kearns (24G, 17A). Goalies Tate Boyce (Providence) and Will Vitton (Villanova) are the league leaders in the goaltending categories. Vitton leads the BIG EAST in league games in saves per game (16.75), save percentage (.609) and goals against average (10.84). Boyce is second behind Vitton in the same categories with 14.50 saves per game, a .558 save percentage and 11.37 goals against average. Drew Casey is on the call.
St. John’s at No. 19/17 Georgetown; Saturday at 1 p.m. ET (CBSSN)
Georgetown is tied with Providence and Marquette at 2-2 currently in league play with a chance to make the tournament field. St. John’s is out of tournament contention but will be playing for their first league win since 2016, which was against Georgetown on April 30. St. John’s will be looking to rebound from a 16-5 loss at Villanova. Georgetown is riding high off a 23-6 victory over independent N.J.I.T. With 10 wins, the Hoyas have posted double digit wins in 15 different seasons in program history. Thirteen different Hoyas (10-4) scored in the win. Georgetown leads the all-time series 14-4. The Hoyas are 7-1 at home against the Red Storm. In 2012, St. John’s defeated Georgetown 13-12 in OT in D.C. Last season, Georgetown defeated St. John’s 11-6. St. John’s is led by Declan Swartwood and Joe Madsen with 35 points each. Swartwood has 28 goals, 7 assists. Madsen has 26 goals, 9 assists. Georgetown’s point leader is Jake Carraway with 73 points (46G, 27A). Dave Ryan and Steve Panarelli will have the call from Washington, D.C.
#BIGEASTmlax Upcoming Schedule
Friday, April 26
[12/14] DENVER at MARQUETTE, 9 p.m. ET (FS1)
Saturday, April 27
[17/18] VILLANOVA at PROVIDENCE, 1 p.m. ET (BEDN)
ST. JOHN’S at [19/17] GEORGETOWN, 1 p.m. ET (CBSSN)
All times listed are Eastern