2018 Men’s Lacrosse Year in Review: #45 Brown Bears

With the 2018 college lacrosse season complete, it’s time to start looking back at how all 71 teams did during the season, as well as what to expect from each squad for 2019.

We’ve already begun looking back to 2018 with some team recaps thus far and continued our series yesterday with Hofstra.

So with that, let’s continue the recaps!

#45 Brown Bears

Conference: Ivy League
2018 Record: 6-9 (3-3 in Ivy League play)
Postseason: Lost to Cornell in Ivy League semifinals
Head coach: Mike Daly (2nd Year)

Statistical Leaders

Goals: Michael Panepinto (27)
Assists: Luke McCaleb (22)
Points: Luke McCaleb (45)
Faceoffs: Ted Ottens (177-of-313; 56.5%)
Ground balls: Ted Ottens (96)
Caused turnovers: JJ Ntshaykolo (12)
Goals against average: Phil Goss (11.98 GAA)
Save percentage: Phil Goss (54%)

Personnel Losses

Key seniors departing: M Stephen Hudak (21 Gs, 8 As), D JJ Ntshaykolo (23 GBs, 12 CTs, 1 G), D Max Gustafson (19 GBs, 6 CTs), FOGO Ted Ottens (56.5% faceoff draws, 96 GBs, 1 G, 2 As), SSDM Owen Rogers (15 GBs, 3 CTs, 2 As), LSM Jake Miller (29 GBs, 6 CTs, 7 Gs, 1 A), SSDM Jack Collins (8 GBs, 3 CTs, 1 G)
Senior scoring departing: 45 of 278 points (16.2%)
Senior starts lost: 72 of 150 (48%)

Season Summary

Replacing an MVP can sometimes be very difficult for a team. Mike Daly experienced that this past season with the graduation of Dylan Molloy, along with Larken Kemp and Alec Tulett on defense.

After reaching the Ivy League Championship game last year, Brown went 6-9 overall but did participate in the conference semifinals in a low-scoring 7-4 loss to Cornell in what capped off a roller coaster season for the Bears. The team alternated between a loss and a win for their first eight games of the season, beginning with a shocking overtime loss to Quinnipiac. Despite a loss against Harvard, Brown did pick up a solid road win against Villanova.

But after going 5-4 with a one-goal win over Penn, it went downhill from there. The Bears lost four straight games, including big blowouts to Yale and Cornell and Ocean State Cup losses to Providence and Bryant. They ended the regular season with a big win over Dartmouth to advance to the Ivy League Tournament, where they bowed out to the Big Red.

Bruno’s offensive losses were notable, as the Bears scored two and-a-half fewer goals on average than they did a year ago. Sophomore Luke McCaleb led the way with 45 points on the season, while junior Carson Song rebounded from a 10-point sophomore season for 38 points. Senior midfielder Michael Panepinto recorded 37 goals, while senior Stephen Hudak, junior Jackson Newsome, sophomore Jack Kniffin, and freshman George Grell had 20-point seasons.

The defense was led by seniors JJ Ntshaykolo and Max Gustafson, with sophomore Ryan Finlay and senior Jake Miller also spending time as starters. Freshman Adrian Enchill did a good job at LSM, but he didn’t record a point on two shots. And as he did last year, Phil Goss was a big reason why Brown was in most games this year with a 54% save percentage.

Looking Ahead

The Bears will have to brace for more losses, this time primarily on defense. Ntshaykolo, Gustafson, and Miller all graduate. Look for Finlay and Alex Santangelo to get some starting time, and it wouldn’t be a big surprise if Enchill could get moved to close. Add to the defensive losses are short sticks Jack Collins and Owen Rogers, as well as FOGO Ted Ottens. Sophomore Michael Brown and two-way junior Brian Prigmore earned plenty of time as a shortie this year, while freshman Matt McShea and sophomore Jason Simaan took some faceoffs last season.

The offense doesn’t get affected that much, as Hudak is the only major loss. George Grell came into the picture later on in the season and could earn more reps as a sophomore. A big guy to watch is Carson Song. If he can continue where he left off last season, he should provide plenty of offense for the Bears.

Here’s who the Bears will be adding to their roster for next year.*

*Compiled from a multitude of websites. Schools usually officially announce their recruiting class during the fall semester.