Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

Defense, physicality big in UM’s win over No.20 Brown

Jake Hachey/Collegian
Jake Hachey/Collegian

Saturday’s 9-6 win over Brown showcased the No. 9 Massachusetts men’s lacrosse team’s recurring theme of defensive unity and physicality.

“I think it was a good group effort,” said sophomore defenseman Jake Smith. “We made stops when we needed to…[and] overall, we played well as a unit.”

Smith and the rest of the defense applied crushing blows to No. 20 Brown’s attackmen throughout the game, disrupting the Bears’ comfort level and execution on offense.

“We definitely try [to] pride ourselves on…being a physical defense,” said Smith. “We [want to] take it to the other team [and] always play hard.”

The Minutemen (4-0) defense had their work cut out for them, forced to contain a potent Brown attack featuring elite goal-scorers Parker Brown and Andrew Feinberg.  The duo combined for just three scores, as Smith and junior Tom Celentani held the potent Bear attack in check throughout the afternoon.

“If you ask those guys, they’ll tell you it was a total team effort on defense and that’s how you have to play teams like Brown, and everybody else we play on our schedule…” said UMass coach Greg Cannella.

The Maroon and White have shined on the defensive end all season, containing some of the top attackmen in the country. Army’s pair of attackmen, Jeremy Boltus and Garrett Thul, were held in check (two goals and one goal respectively) and the Minutemen limited Ohio State’s Logan Schuss and Jeff Tundo to only a pair of goals each.

UMass applied constant ball pressure on Saturday, which helped disrupt the flow of the Bears’ offensive sets, leading to 17 forced turnovers. Smith led the Minutemen with a career-high five caused turnovers, while Celentani and Greg Anderson each forced a pair of their own.

Cannella was happy with his defensive midfield’s play, particularly senior Stephen Zorkers and sophomore Bobby Tyler and their ability to hinder Brown’s execution on the offensive end.

“[Our] short sticks did a good job,” said Cannella. “Zorkers did a great job today, [as did] Bobby Tyler [of] turning the ball over [and] knocking some passes down as well.”

UMass assistant coach Kevin Burns’ game plan allowed the players to feel more comfortable in the defensive zone.

“We were [really] prepared for their offenses, so it helps when you…think you’re one step ahead of the other team and…know where to be,” said Smith. He went on to add that he believed switching on Brown’s picks and communicating with fellow defenders were vital to the defense’s strong performance.

Cannella believed his defense’s comfort level rubbed off on goalkeeper Tim McCormack, who made some key saves down the stretch (10 total) to preserve the win.

“I think you get to a point where [if] the defense plays more relaxed, the goalie plays more relaxed,” said Cannella. “The defense plays more relaxed because the goalie is playing solid. The goalie plays more relaxed because he knows he has people in front of him [who] are [going to] take care of him.”

In the second half, the defensive play was crucial in the Minutemen’s surge. UMass limited Brown to just 12 shots in the half, including only four in the third quarter, which allowed the home team to finally create separation in the score and hold onto its lead.

UMass has relinquished an average of 7.5 goals per contest, a credit to both McCormack’s play in net and the defense’s ability to limit scoring opportunities. The Minutemen have held the opposition to merely 25.8 shots per game and have also caused an average of 10 turnovers per contest.

The Minutemen were effective in clearing the ball out of the defensive end, going 18-of-20 on the afternoon, limiting the number of extra possessions for Brown to mount a comeback.

Stephen Sellner can be reached at [email protected].

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