VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova Men's Lacrosse (3-5) ended non-conference play on St. Patrick's Day in style, defeating Brown University (2-5) by a score of 16-9.

Villanova was led by midfielder Nicholas Lucchesi and attackman Colin Michener, who combined for seven of the team's season-high 16 goals, and goalie Denis Fargione, who saved 19 shots in goal.

Fargione's stellar performance ranks fifth in program history for saves in a game and was the second time in his young career that he held an opposing offense to less than 10 goals. His save percentage is now .557%, which leads the BIG EAST.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The 'Cats, who averaged 7.83 goals per game coming into Monday, came out blazing. They scored the first seven goals of the game, extending into the second half, while holding the Bears scoreless.

Villanova started their scoring off with a Gavin Michener goal, coming as a result of a Beau Kemler caused turnover. The defenseman caused three turnovers and scooped up five ground balls in the matchup.

Lucchesi netted his first of the day, extending the lead to 2-0, as the first came to a close with Villanova holding a small lead.

In the second quarter, the Wildcats offense caught fire, scoring four goals in five minutes, ignited by a Brady Dumont man-up goal, assisted by fellow New Hampshire native Quinton Cepiel.

The elder Michener scored two consecutive, his first of two times doing so in the game, and was followed up by Jake Melchionni scoring on an assist from Tyler Sandoval.

In the closing minutes of the second quarter, Lucchesi found the back of the net for the second time, securing the seven-goal lead, while the defense held strong, keeping Brown scoreless.

The last time Villanova held a team scoreless in a half was when they jumped out to a 6-0 lead against No. 17 Penn on March 10, 2018.

The Wildcats forced Brown to make two goalie changes, as they scored nine in the first 32:25 against Connor Foley, a goalkeeper who, entering Monday, ranked in the top six nationally in both save percentage and saves per game.

As the second half got underway, Brown was able to get on the board on Jeremy Hopsicker's first of four goals in the second half.

However, Villanova quickly answered back on goals by Luke Raymond and Matthew Swirbalus.

The Bears answered those two with a couple of goals of their own, including one scored by goalkeeper Andy Demopoulos, a former high school defensive teammate of Villanova captain David Evanchick.

To close out the stanza, VU rattled off five of the next six goals, breaking their season high for goals in a quarter with seven, defeating the previous mark of five, set just a quarter before.

Starting it off, Lucchesi secured his hat trick, active Villanova leading scorer Matt Licata danced around the goal for his first of the contest, and Michener tallied his second 2-0 solo run of the game. Finishing right where the Wildcat offense started on the run, Lucchesi netted a goal with just 2.6 seconds remaining, the second goal he has scored in the final five seconds of a quarter this year.

Brown started a run in the fourth, scoring four straight over seven minutes, three of the scores coming from the stick of Hopsicker, but that run was ended by David Link scoring his first of the game, which Matt Licata followed up with his second as the Villanova bench emptied to deploy the reserve units.

The Wildcats also excelled in the circle, going 18-28 in the game, led by George Glomb, at 9-14 (.643%) as he slotted into the primary specialist spot midway through the game. The sophomore took advantage of the role, setting career highs in faceoffs attempted and faceoff wins.

Tyler Sandoval returned to action after missing the contest against Saint Joseph's, going 7-11 (.636%) at the center "X."

During Monday's game, Villanova celebrated all veterans, alongside their own on Military Appreciation Day, alongside all active or former military members, thanking them for their service.

Villanova head coach Mike Corrado served four years in the U.S. Navy, where he was based out of Norfolk, Va., after graduating in 1987. He is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and retired as a Commander from the Naval Reserves.

FAST FACTS
Fargione's 19 saves adds him to the record book in just his sixth career game. Only Brian Kash (29) and Matthew Wilks (24, 21, 20) eclipsed the 20 save mark in a single game. He is the first Villanova goalie to save at least 19 shots since Will Vitton on April 6, 2019, at Denver.

Tyler Sandoval ranks 15^th nationally in faceoff win percentage (.608).

Villanova moves to 4-4 all-time against Brown, including two straight victories.

After their 18-28 performance today, John "Woody" Derham's faceoff unit moves to 109-186 (.581%) on the season.

UP NEXT
After this victory, the Wildcats have 11 days off before entering conference play out west, as they take on the Denver Pioneers to open up the BIG EAST Regular Season.

TICKETING
Individual game tickets are available for the rest of the season; please check here for more information and to purchase tickets for upcoming games.

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