Providence 2024

[Dux917]

Fall ball: Providence wants to grab the ‘success’ that’s eluded it

The fall of 2022 marked Bobby Benson’s introduction as the head coach of the Providence men’s lacrosse team. He compared that first fall to “drinking from a fire hose” and “swimming upstream.”
In his second fall, he said the players have more of a sense of what’s going on and where the team should be, making it a little more relaxing in terms of needing to teach the entire team at one time.
That being said, Benson said his second fall has also come with higher expectations, and the team has a lot of work to do.

The 2023 season ended with the Friars playing four ranked teams in their final six regular-season games, and the team lost all four, including an early-April contest against Georgetown by two goals. Almost a month later, Providence met the Hoyas again in the semifinals of the Big East tournament and lost by 11 goals.

As Benson said, there’s a lot of work to be done.

“While I think we took steps forward last year, I don’t think anybody would say it was a successful year,” he said. “We were 6-9. We ended up fourth in the Big East and we lost in the first round by (11) goals. So I think it was a step in the right direction, and there were some really good things that occurred, but I’m not one for moral victories, and just because we were maybe more competitive, I don’t think that necessarily classifies as success.”

Providence plays through a five-week fall where it practices four days a week. The team held its annual Alumni Weekend on Saturday, Sept. 30, and then concluded its schedule on Oct. 21 traveling to Syracuse to play scrimmages against the host and UMass. Benson said the plan in those scrimmages was to play their base offenses and defenses, and even try some guys at different positions to test what is best for the team come the spring.

Benson called the incoming freshman class “awesome” and said he is pleased with how the players are acclimating to the team and in the locker room. The team also has two transfers Benson is excited about: Luke Jaber (Milton, Mass.) and Ryan Reilly (Hingham, Mass.). Jaber was an attackman at Division 2 Bentley who led the team in goals (36), assists (19) and points (55) last season. Reilly was an attackman at D-3 Salve Regina who led his team in goals (47) and points (62).

What’s been the biggest pleasant surprise, however, Benson said, is seeing the work the returning players put in on their own during the summer.

“There are a few individuals that really have come back and just done a great job (and) worked hard,” he said. “We make great strides in the offseason in the weight room, with some of our guys … (and) the lifting numbers going up, speed numbers going up. Guys gaining weight that needed to gain weight, guys losing weight that needed to lose weight, guys really stepping up their numbers in the weight room; they were probably the best surprises.”

As the Friars’ fall season comes to a close, the players will need to continue putting that individual effort in as they prepare to come back in January.

“The next few months really determine, collectively and individually, where you’re going to go as a team,” Benson said. “The strides that you make during that time, especially individually, really pay dividends in the spring.

“There’s a saying: ‘Champions are made in the offseason.’ It couldn’t hold more true. That’s the message of what we’re kind of been talking about. What are our goals and expectations, and how do we get there? What’s our plan to get there and then how do we work to accomplish them?”

[Dux917]

Catching up on recruiting for the 2024 & 2025 classes -

2024's
Chris Matia A The Lawrenceville School (NJ)
Stone Evans A Cushing Academy (MA)
Jack Nicolette M Marvin Ridge High School (NC)
Jay Wilkerson A Gilman School (MD
Sam Brazell M Jamesville Dewitt High School (NY)
Ned Marshall M Salisbury School (CT)
Jack Bourget D Benilde-St Margaret'S School (MN)
Christopher Jaskiewicz M Lake Highland Preparatory School (FL)
Ben Dale A Millbrook School (NY)
Max Maurillo M Staples High School (CT)
Andrew Scott D The Kiski School (PA)
Jimmy Troy M Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (MD)
Luke Fliss M Pittsford Combined (NY)
Jack Cooper FO East Hampton High School (NY)
Randolph Campbell A Collegiate School (VA)
Jimmy Son FO Cushing Academy (MA)
Matt Hayes A La Salle Academy (RI)
Sean Walsh G Hull High School (MA)
Patrick Mullin D South Side High School (NY
Cameron Elenteny M The Loomis Chaffee School (CT)

2025's
Cameron Wheelans D. Culver Military (Ontario)
Nathan Smith. D. St. Ignatius (OH)
Ben Stone. D. Regis Jesuit (CO)
Trent Yelton G St. Xavier High School (OH)
Luke Jaeger M. Western Reserve Acad. (OH)
Ristan Tomich D Wheaton Academy (IL)
Cannon Ridinger FO Charlotte Catholic High School (NC)
Jack Bonello A Episcopal High School VA)
Robby White A Everest Academy (Ontario)
Sam Clark A Glenbard West High School (IL)
Aiden Eriksen D Jesuit High School (FL)
Cooper Anderson. M Edina Senior High School (MN)

[Farfromgeneva]

He got Cooper Anderson to quit CNN for the 25 season?

[oldbartman]

Catching up on recruiting for the 2024 & 2025 classes -

2024's
Chris Matia A The Lawrenceville School (NJ)
Stone Evans A Cushing Academy (MA)
Jack Nicolette M Marvin Ridge High School (NC)
Jay Wilkerson A Gilman School (MD
Sam Brazell M Jamesville Dewitt High School (NY)
Ned Marshall M Salisbury School (CT)
Jack Bourget D Benilde-St Margaret'S School (MN)
Christopher Jaskiewicz M Lake Highland Preparatory School (FL)
Ben Dale A Millbrook School (NY)
Max Maurillo M Staples High School (CT)
Andrew Scott D The Kiski School (PA)
Jimmy Troy M Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (MD)
Luke Fliss M Pittsford Combined (NY)
Jack Cooper FO East Hampton High School (NY)
Randolph Campbell A Collegiate School (VA)
Jimmy Son FO Cushing Academy (MA)
Matt Hayes A La Salle Academy (RI)
Sean Walsh G Hull High School (MA)
Patrick Mullin D South Side High School (NY
Cameron Elenteny M The Loomis Chaffee School (CT)

2025's
Trent Yelton G St. Xavier High School (OH)
Ristan Tomich D Wheaton Academy (IL)
Cannon Ridinger FO Charlotte Catholic High School (NC)
Jack Bonello A Episcopal High School VA)
Robby White A Everest Academy (Ontario)
Sam Clark A Glenbard West High School (IL)
Aiden Eriksen D Jesuit High School (FL)
Cooper Anderson. M Edina Senior High School (MN)

20 recruits for '24... That's a big class by any standards.

[GaitsRightHand]

2024 class is huge, part of the re-build. They had quite a bit of money tied up, and graduation freed up a ton.
Ringleader for the commits: Stone Evans. Decommit from AF, he is legit. Great pick up. Was scoring on PLL players last summer with Team Jamaica.

[Dux917]

Schedule and full roster are now up. Non-conference looks tough.....

2024 Schedule

https://friars.com/sports/mens-lacrosse/schedule/2024

2024 Roster

https://friars.com/sports/mens-lacrosse/roster

[Dux917]

Season starts this Sunday at Holy Cross, 1:00pm. Game is on ESPN+

[Gorilla Fan]

Good on the Friars calling off the dogs

[gymman1031]

Good on the Friars calling off the dogs

Yes. They looked very good and could have won by several more goals. I wouldn't be surprised to see them make serious noise in the Big East this year.

[Dux917]

Friars beat Brown 12-11 in OT. Nice last minute comeback from two goals down to send it to OT, then Horrigan scores to win it. Brown is struggling this year, but nice win for PC to get back to 2-2 for the year so far.

[DocBarrister]

Friars beat Brown 12-11 in OT. Nice last minute comeback from two goals down to send it to OT, then Horrigan scores to win it. Brown is struggling this year, but nice win for PC to get back to 2-2 for the year so far.

Perhaps Coach Benson’s biggest win to date as a HC. Congratulations to Providence!

DocBarrister

[Dux917]

Friars lose a tough one in OT to a good ST. Joseph's team 13-12. PC had a two goal lead with 1:30 to go in game, and let it slip away and then lose late in OT. Gave up late lead, because they got killed with face-offs all game. It's been a big issue in several games. Wonder why we haven't seen top frosh recruit Spenser Liston who is a face-off guy?? Have to try something different...

[Dux917]

Very good road Big East win over Villanova today, 15-12. Ryan Bell became the all-time PC leader in assists - and he's just a junior.

Wildcats are a younger team this year, but always a solid program. Friar offense looked good today, Benson's system is kicking in.

https://friars.com/news/2024/4/6/mens-l ... -play.aspx

[DocBarrister]

Very good road Big East win over Villanova today, 15-12. Ryan Bell became the all-time PC leader in assists - and he's just a junior.

Wildcats are a younger team this year, but always a solid program. Friar offense looked good today, Benson's system is kicking in.

https://friars.com/news/2024/4/6/mens-l ... -play.aspx

Huge win for Coach Benson and his men!

DocBarrister

[coda]

Very good road Big East win over Villanova today, 15-12. Ryan Bell became the all-time PC leader in assists - and he's just a junior.

Wildcats are a younger team this year, but always a solid program. Friar offense looked good today, Benson's system is kicking in.

https://friars.com/news/2024/4/6/mens-l ... -play.aspx

Huge win for Coach Benson and his men!

DocBarrister

He is quietly done a nice job there

[DocBarrister]

Very good road Big East win over Villanova today, 15-12. Ryan Bell became the all-time PC leader in assists - and he's just a junior.

Wildcats are a younger team this year, but always a solid program. Friar offense looked good today, Benson's system is kicking in.

https://friars.com/news/2024/4/6/mens-l ... -play.aspx

Huge win for Coach Benson and his men!

DocBarrister

He is quietly done a nice job there

Completely agree.

DocBarrister

[LaxAllStars]

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show ... ce-e2i8v81

Providence coach Bob Benson
Year 2
After win over Villanova Wildcats
Podcast
State of the program

[Dux917]

Beating St. Johns last night, secures the #3 seed for the Friars in the Big East Tournament. Will play Georgetown, who PC played well against earlier in the season (lost 15-10, and really only played one bad qtr, which was the difference...). Friars seem to be peaking at the end of the season, will see if continues Thursday night (Game will be CBS Sports network)