(MARQUETTE COMMUNICATIONS) The Marquette University men’s lacrosse team (4–4, 0–0 BIG EAST) opens its 13th season of BIG EAST Conference competition Saturday morning when it hosts Providence (4–6, 0–0 BIG EAST) in the league opener. ESPN+ will feature the broadcast, with Matt Menzel (play-by-play) and Eric Simon (analyst) on the call.
LAST TIME OUT
Marquette closed out its nonconference schedule with a 15–10 victory at Bellarmine on March 21 in Louisville. After falling behind 3–0 early, Marquette responded with an explosive 8–2 run to take an 8–5 lead into halftime. The Golden Eagles continued to control the game defensively in the third quarter, holding Bellarmine scoreless while extending the lead to 10–5 entering the final frame. Bellarmine mounted a fourth-quarter rally to cut the deficit to two, but Marquette answered with three late goals to secure the win.
Nolan Rappis led the offense with a season-high seven points (4g, 3a), while Carsen Brandt and Matt Caputo each added four points. Andrew Bowman recorded a hat trick, and Jackson Nichols paced the defensive unit with a career-high three caused turnovers and three ground balls.
HISTORY VS. PROVIDENCE
Marquette and Providence meet for the 14th time in program history, with the Golden Eagles holding a 7–6 advantage in the all-time series.
Providence claimed last season’s matchup, 14–2, and has won three straight and five of the last seven meetings.
SCOUTING THE FRIARS
Providence enters Saturday’s matchup at 4–6, coming off a 1–1 week with a 12–3 win over Quinnipiac and an 18–17 overtime loss to Air Force.
The Friars are led offensively by Rhett Chambers, Richie Joseph, and Matt Lazzaro. Chambers has emerged as one of the top playmakers in the country, leading the team with 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists), which ranks seventh nationally, while his 25 assists are tied for third in the NCAA. He also ranks among the national leaders in assists per game (2.11).
Joseph, a unanimous Preseason All-BIG EAST selection and the league’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, remains a consistent scoring threat. He is tied for the team lead in goals and ranks third in total points. The senior has totaled 147 career points (110 goals, 37 assists) and ranks fifth in program history in goals and tied for 11th in points.
Lazzaro, a transfer from Penn State, has made an immediate impact with 33 points (18 goals, 15 assists), ranking second on the team in scoring.
WOMEN
The Marquette University women’s lacrosse team (6-4, 0-1 BIG EAST) takes on their first road conference matchup this Saturday, traveling to Xavier (2-9, 0-1 BIG EAST). First draw is set for 11a.m. CT from Cincinnati, with ESPN+ featuring the broadcast.
LAST TIME OUT
Marquette women’s lacrosse edged UC Davis 13‑12 on Monday afternoon at Valley Fields to close non‑conference play. Hanna Bodner and Dani Serrano each scored four goals, with Bodner adding a career‑high 10 draw controls, while Tess Osburn tallied two woman‑up goals and Ella Mautz added two scores, including the game‑winner with 2:50 remaining. Marquette controlled play early, building a 12‑7 lead late in the third quarter behind strong draw control and efficient offense, before UC Davis scored seven straight to tie the game. Mautz would bury the game winner to give MU their second one-goal victory of the season.
HISTORY VS. XAVIER
Marquette is 3-0 all‑time against Xavier, with each meeting coming during the past three seasons and all three resulting in double‑digit wins for the Golden Eagles. The most recent meeting came on March 29, 2025, when Marquette topped Xavier 19–9 at Valley Fields, continuing a series trend of strong offensive production and defensive control by the Golden Eagles.
SCOUTING THE MUSKETEERS
Xavier enters at 2-9 overall (0-1 BIG EAST) and is coming off a one‑goal 11-10 loss to California on March 24, their fourth one‑goal defeat of the season. The Musketeers average 7.82 goals per game and are led offensively by Samantha Balara, who paces the team with 20 goals and 25 points, while Megan Droney (13 assists, 22 points) and Maya Graham (9 goals, 12 assists) provide playmaking balance. Defensively, Xavier has forced 111 caused turnovers and leans on goalkeeper Jada Brandon, who has made 84 saves with a .469 save percentage in 11 appearances, as the Musketeers have remained competitive in several close losses.
PRODUCTIVE AND EFFICIENT OFFENSE
Marquette averages 14.00 goals per game, ranking No. 23 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST, trailing only Denver. The Golden Eagles also rank No. 27 nationally and No. 2 in the conference with 20.50 points per game. MU pairs its scoring output with efficiency, ranking No. 15 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST in shot percentage (.481). Marquette also converts 57.9% of free‑position attempts, which ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST, consistently turning set‑piece opportunities into goals.
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