SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Brown Bears (2-3, 0-0 Ivy League) secured a 10-8 victory over the Bryant Bulldogs (2-3, 0-0 America East) on Tuesday night, claiming the 2025 Ocean State Cup in dramatic fashion. This marks Brown’s first win in the annual lacrosse competition since 2022 and the eighth time they’ve captured the prestigious trophy since its inception in 2010.
The Ocean State Cup is a highly anticipated event each year, bringing together the top men’s lacrosse teams from the three Division I programs in Rhode Island: Brown, Bryant, and Providence. The trophy is awarded to the winner of the annual lacrosse showdown between these schools, and the competition is a fierce battle for state bragging rights.
Head coach Jon Torpey praised his team’s performance, particularly their strong second-half play. “Bryant is a well-coached team that is extremely talented all over the field. I’m proud of our second-half effort. We got great production from a lot of guys and scored in multiple ways,” said Torpey after the game.
Aidan McLane led the Bears’ offensive charge with a hat trick and an assist, while Marcus Wertheim added two goals and an assist in the win. Goalie Connor Foley was stellar in net, recording 16 saves to help his team secure the win. Over the course of the Ocean State Cup matchups against Bryant and Providence, Foley posted an impressive 35 saves in total.
The game began with a tightly contested first half. Brown jumped to an early 1-0 lead thanks to Ennis Udo’s goal, but Bryant responded quickly, and the game remained tight. Bryant took a 4-2 lead in the second quarter, but Brown fought back, with a late goal from Felix Rockefeller bringing them within one before the break.
In the second half, McLane’s quick strike and strong play from Wertheim helped Brown regain control, finishing the third quarter with a 9-6 lead. Despite a strong push from Bryant in the fourth, Brown held firm, ultimately sealing the 10-8 victory.
The Ocean State Cup is more than just a rivalry game; it’s an annual celebration of the top lacrosse talent in Rhode Island. In the event of a tie, the previous winner retains possession of the trophy, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition.
With this win, Brown will keep the Ocean State Cup for the coming year. After a brief off-week, Brown will turn its attention to Ivy League play, facing the 19th-ranked Penn Quakers on Saturday, March 15.
