Matt gaudet yale. Matt Gaudet: Yale Lacrosse Star’s Journey and Impact on the Team

Who is Matt Gaudet and what has been his contribution to Yale’s lacrosse program. How has Gaudet’s performance helped elevate Yale lacrosse to national prominence. What makes Gaudet a standout player for the Bulldogs.

Table of Contents

Matt Gaudet’s Rise to Lacrosse Stardom at Yale

Matt Gaudet, a senior attacker for the Yale Bulldogs men’s lacrosse team, has become one of the most prominent players in college lacrosse. Standing at 6’1″ and weighing 220 pounds, Gaudet brings both size and skill to Yale’s offensive lineup. His journey to becoming a key player for one of the nation’s top lacrosse programs is a testament to his talent and work ethic.

High School Accolades and Early Success

Before joining Yale, Gaudet honed his skills at the prestigious Salisbury School in Connecticut. His high school career was marked by numerous achievements:

Played three years of lacrosse at attack
Voted captain of the varsity lacrosse team in his senior year
Earned First-team All-New England honors twice
Received the lacrosse team leadership award
Achieved high honors in his senior year

Gaudet’s success extended beyond his high school team. He represented Team Ontario in both box and field lacrosse, earning two Canadian National Gold Medals. His leadership qualities were evident early on, as he was elected captain of the U-18 field lacrosse team.

Box Lacrosse Achievements

Gaudet’s versatility in both field and box lacrosse set him apart from his peers. His accomplishments in box lacrosse include:

Drafted 1st overall in the Jr. A box lacrosse draft by the Six Nations Arrows in 2014
Jr. A Minto Cup Champion

These experiences in box lacrosse likely contributed to Gaudet’s quick hands and ability to score in tight spaces, skills that would prove valuable in his college career.

Gaudet’s Freshman Year Impact at Yale

Matt Gaudet wasted no time making his presence felt on the Yale lacrosse team. His freshman year statistics are impressive:

Scored 32 goals and tallied 5 assists for a total of 37 points
Started 14 games and played in 16
Recorded 11 multi-goal games
Scooped up 19 ground balls
Caused two turnovers

These numbers demonstrate Gaudet’s immediate impact as a goal-scorer and his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game. His performance earned him recognition as a NEILA Second Team Honoree.

Shooting Efficiency

One of the most striking aspects of Gaudet’s freshman year was his shooting efficiency:

63 total shots with 51 on goal
50.8% shooting percentage
81.0% shots on goal percentage

These statistics highlight Gaudet’s accuracy and ability to create quality scoring opportunities, traits that would continue to define his play in subsequent seasons.

Gaudet’s Role in Yale’s Rise to National Prominence

Matt Gaudet’s arrival at Yale coincided with a period of unprecedented success for the Bulldogs’ lacrosse program. His contributions have been instrumental in Yale’s ascent to the top ranks of college lacrosse.

National Championship Success

Yale has made consecutive appearances in the national championship game, with Gaudet playing a crucial role in these deep tournament runs. The team’s crowning achievement came in 2018 when they secured the national title. Gaudet’s scoring prowess and clutch performances in high-stakes games have been pivotal to Yale’s success on the national stage.

Key Victories Against Top-Ranked Opponents

Gaudet has been at the forefront of Yale’s victories against elite competition. Notably, Yale was the only team to defeat Penn State in the previous season, with two significant wins:

A 14-13 victory in New Haven during the regular season
A decisive 21-14 win in the national semifinals at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia

These victories against top-ranked opponents demonstrate Gaudet’s ability to elevate his game when it matters most, contributing to Yale’s reputation as a powerhouse in college lacrosse.

Gaudet’s Playing Style and On-Field Impact

Matt Gaudet’s success on the field can be attributed to a combination of physical attributes and refined skills that make him a formidable attacker.

Physical Advantages

At 6’1″ and 220 pounds, Gaudet possesses a size advantage over many defenders. This physical presence allows him to:

Create space for himself in tight scoring areas
Absorb contact while maintaining possession
Use his body effectively to shield the ball from defenders

Scoring Ability

Gaudet’s primary contribution to the team is his exceptional scoring ability. His goal-scoring prowess is characterized by:

Quick release on his shots
Accuracy from various angles and distances
Ability to finish in traffic near the crease
Opportunistic play, capitalizing on scoring chances

These skills make Gaudet a constant threat to opposing defenses and a key player in Yale’s offensive schemes.

Gaudet’s Leadership and Team Impact

Beyond his on-field performance, Matt Gaudet has emerged as a leader for the Yale lacrosse team. His leadership qualities, evident since his high school days, have continued to develop at the collegiate level.

Vocal Presence

Gaudet is known for his candor and willingness to engage with the media, serving as a spokesperson for the team. This comfort in the spotlight translates to on-field communication, where he can be heard directing the offense and calling out defensive setups.

Leading by Example

Gaudet’s work ethic and commitment to improvement set a standard for his teammates. His consistent performance and ability to deliver in crucial moments inspire confidence in those around him, elevating the play of the entire team.

Gaudet’s Academic and Personal Background

While Matt Gaudet’s athletic achievements are well-documented, his background off the field provides insight into his character and aspirations.

Academic Interests

At Yale, Gaudet has shown interest in economics as his preferred major. This choice reflects a balance between his athletic pursuits and academic goals, demonstrating his commitment to excellence in all areas of his college experience.

Academic Achievements

Gaudet’s academic prowess was evident even in high school, where he received recognition for his performance in challenging subjects:

AP Environmental Science Award
AP French “V” Award

These accolades suggest a well-rounded individual capable of excelling both on the field and in the classroom.

Personal Background

Matthew Gaudet is the son of Andre & Irene Gaudet. His family background and support system have likely played a significant role in his development as both an athlete and a student.

Gaudet’s Future Prospects and Impact on Yale Lacrosse

As Matt Gaudet enters his senior year at Yale, expectations are high for both his individual performance and the team’s success. His continued growth and leadership will be crucial factors in Yale’s pursuit of another national championship.

Professional Potential

Given his success at the collegiate level, Gaudet is likely to attract attention from professional lacrosse leagues. His size, scoring ability, and experience in both field and box lacrosse make him a versatile prospect for teams at the next level.

Legacy at Yale

Regardless of his future professional career, Gaudet has already cemented his place in Yale lacrosse history. His contributions to the team’s recent success, including the national championship, will be remembered long after his time as a Bulldog comes to an end.

Continued Team Success

For the immediate future, Gaudet’s focus remains on helping Yale maintain its position as one of the top lacrosse programs in the nation. The team’s upcoming matchup against No. 1 Penn State serves as another opportunity for Gaudet to showcase his skills on a national stage and potentially lead Yale to another signature victory.

As the lacrosse world turns its attention to this high-profile matchup, Matt Gaudet stands ready to lead Yale’s offensive charge. His journey from a highly touted recruit to a key player on a national championship team exemplifies the impact a single player can have on a program’s trajectory. With his combination of physical tools, refined skills, and leadership qualities, Gaudet continues to be a driving force behind Yale’s lacrosse success and a player to watch as the season unfolds.

Matt Gaudet – Yale

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44 – Matt Gaudet

Height:

6-1

Weight:

220

Year:

Fr.

Hometown:

Hamilton, ON

High School:

Salisbury School

Position:

2017: Scored 32 goals and had 5 assists. .. Had 11 multi-goal games… Scooped up 19 ground balls… Started 14 games and played in 16… Caused two turnovers… NEILA Second Team Honoree.

Before Yale: Played three years of lacrosse at attack at Salisbury School (Salisbury, Conn.)… Voted captain of varsity lacrosse team senior year… Earned high honors senior year… First-team All-New England twice… Lacrosse team leadership award… 2 Canadian National Gold Medals for Team Ontario (both box and field lacrosse) and was elected captain of the field U-18 team… Drafted 1st overall in the Jr. A box lacrosse draft to the Six Nations Arrows in 2014… Jr. A Minto Cup Champion… AP Environmental Science Award… AP French “V” Award.

Personal: Matthew Gaudet is the son of Andre & Irene Gaudet… Preferred Major in Economics.

Statistics category	Overall	Conf
Games	16	6
Points	37	16
Goals	32	14
Assists	5	2
Man-up goals	2	1
Man-down goals	0	0
Ground balls	19	9
Turnovers	9	5
Caused turnovers	2	1
Faceoffs	0-0	0-0
Faceoff percentage	0. 0	0.0
Shots	63	25
Shooting percentage	50.8	56.0
Shots on goal	51	21
Shots on goal percentage	81.0	84.0

Gaudet, Yale set to battle No. 1 Penn State

NEW HAVEN — Yale attacker Matt Gaudet stood in front of a row of television cameras on Thursday afternoon, waiting to be interviewed two days before the third-ranked Bulldogs highly-anticipated showdown at No. 1 Penn State, when men’s lacrosse coach Andy Shay walked past.

“Just another game,” Shay said without making eye contact or breaking his stride.

“Just another game,” Gaudet repeated.

“Outstanding opponent,” Shay said.

“Outstanding opponent,” Gaudet again repeated.

If there’s one thing Shay has mastered over the years it’s the ability to keep his team relaxed and focused when the stakes are incredibly high. No need to ruffle feathers or toot his own horn, whether the opposition is an overmatched mid-major or the top-ranked team in the country.

It’s a big reason why Yale has made successive trips to the national championship game, winning the 2018 title.

Gaudet, a senior and a media favorite for his candor, has been interviewed dozens of times. He certainly didn’t need to be reminded of anything, especially how good Penn State is. It was simply Shay’s way of keeping things loose and having some fun.

But there’s no question the eyes of the lacrosse world will be focused squarely on Saturday’s matchup of titans at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium (noon, Big Ten Network).

Yale (1-0) was the only team to beat the Nittany Lions last season, a 14-13 victory in New Haven and a 21-14 win in the national semifinals at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The last time Penn State lost to a team that wasn’t Yale was in April 2018, when it lost the season finale to Michigan.

Asked what’s different about this year’s version of Penn State, Shay paused for a moment.

“They’re better, that’s the only thing I can come up with,” Shay said. “They have almost every point back, their goalie back, most of their defense back, their faceoff guy back. Coach is back. They’re No. 1 for a reason. They’re exceptional.”

Indeed, there are almost no weaknesses on the Nittany Lion roster, which features two legitimate Tewaaraton Award candidates in Grant Ament and Mac O’Keefe and one of the nation’s top faceoff men in Gerard Arceri.

Ament (eight goals, 16 assists) is averaging eight points per game through the first three contests, all Penn State wins. O’Keefe (16 goals, five assists) isn’t far behind. Arceri has won 68.1 percent of his faceoffs.

Yale brings the firepower with seniors Jackson Morrill, Gaudet and sophomore Matt Brandau along with a dangerous group of offensive midfielders. Sophomore Thomas Bragg, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound midfielder who played sparingly last season, had four goals and two assists in what was essentially his debut as a regular in an 18-12 win over Villanova in the season opener on Feb. 15.

In both meetings last season, the offense was fast and furious. There’s the possibility today’s game could feature another 30 goals. Penn State is averaging 18 goals in wins over Lafayette, Villanova and St. Joseph’s.

“Both teams are capable of scoring a lot during a game,” Gaudet said. “I think both defenses have gotten better. It’s a new year, and I don’t know what Saturday will bring.”

Yale also has the majority of its defense back as well as faceoff specialist and Tewaaraton candidate T.D. Ierlan, who set the national Division I record for ground balls last week at Villanova.

Jack Starr, the Bulldogs starting goalie the past two seasons, injured his back late last week and was scratched at Villanova. Senior Brody Wilson recorded a career-best 13 saves and is 5-0 as a starting goalie. Shay said Starr will get another week to rest his injury, so Wilson will get the start at Penn State.

cmalafronte

@nhregister.com

With Lights-Out Finishing, Yale’s Matt Gaudet Became Championship Weekend’s Star

Lacrosse stars are made in NFL stadiums. The latest player to take that next step to greatness is Yale sophomore Matt Gaudet, who earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the Bulldogs’ title run. Gaudet had 10 goals on 13 shots, for a ridiculous 76.9% shooting.

The Hamilton, Ont., native who attended Salisbury School (Conn.) is no stranger to finding the back of the net. His freshman year he scored a Yale rookie record 32 goals and has had a prolific box career, drafted first overall in Jr. A and winning a Minto Cup.

It was an hit-or-miss sophomore year — though still quite prolific — for Gaudet, who scored three goals in the entire month of March. He came on in late April, starting with a hat trick against Albany then big games in Ivy League play. He was named to the Ivy League All-Tournament Team. After his stellar Championship Weekend, he finishes his season with 37 goals.

Coach Andy Shay challenged him to step up his game right before the team came to Foxborough.

“Matt has had an up-and-down year, and he’s been challenged, and he got challenged before we left for Foxborough, right before we got on the bus, we had a spicy moment in practice where I told him we needed more out of him, and he responded,” said Shay after the national championship win. “So I’m just really proud. Really proud of him.”

His roster mugshot is one for the ages, and combined with his ability to bury opponents drew the nickname “The Undertaker” from Paul Carcaterra on the ESPN2 broadcast.

Gaudet finished everything, but he also has teammates to credit. Ben Reeves took a ton of attention from both the Albany and Yale defenses. Against Albany, that freed up Gaudet to score six goals. While most were right on the doorstep, he showed a quickness and finishing ability unparalleled over the weekend, extending out with a nice turn-and-shoot from about eight yards out to give Yale a 7-0 lead. He scored on his first five shots.

Players like Jason Alessi, Lucas Cotler, Jackon Morrill and Jack Tigh drew slides to free him up, which he was quick to point out.

“I don’t think my 10 goals this weekend was attributed to anything I did specifically. I honestly could not thank our offensive guys enough and our coach. Hate to admit it, but we are talented, we are talented. Hard work has been the framework for our program, and just the weight room every single day, practice every single day. We’ve been put in these strenuous situations, and our midfielders along with Ben and Jackson, even the defensive side of the ball has just worked incredibly hard,” he said.

“This weekend I thought that our midfielders and both Ben [Reeves] and Jackson Morrill were able to draw a lot of attention. As soon as I saw the back of my defenders helmet, I just went under him. They’d be able to draw the slide, and I was able to get my lay-ups. I just owe it all to my teammates.”

Said Shay: “Matt’s such a threat inside that he changes your slide game, or if you want to come from the inside, he’s going to get open. When he gets open, he’s pretty deadly.”

He got on the radar nationaly in March of his freshman year, a 16-13 win against Princeton in which he had a hat trick. “He’s a finisher, a tough kid who does his job,” Shay said then.

But he was on Yale’s radar as a key piece to the championship puzzle prior to that. Originally committing to Syracuse in January 2014, he switched to Yale in July 2015 as a rising senior. He had played with Justin Guterding at Salisbury School, now his opponent and Tewaaraton finalist at the other end of the field. Gaudet ran over to at the end of the game to console him as his team piled up in celebration.

Shay recalls sitting in a hotel room before a game years ago, talking with his athletic director Thomas Beckett about Gaudet and what he could bring to the Bulldogs.

“We were talking about this kid that we got, Matt Gaudet, and I said, ‘Tom, you’re going to finish everything. He’s unbelievable. You wait until you see him.’”

Gaudet’s Chirping: Effective Strategy, ‘Just Part of the Game,’ Classless or Contrived?

(Photo courtesy of PLL)

In what will be remembered as one of the wildest days in the history of pro lacrosse (and there is stiff competition for that title), the memory of Chrome LC rookie attackman Matt Gaudet’s trash talking may prove to be the most enduring from Saturday.

Gaudet finished with one goal on three shots in his team’s 13-9 win over Chaos LC. He was also featured with a clip highlighting some of his on-field comments, then criticized opposing goalie Blaze Riorden while doing a remote interview with the broadcast team while standing next to Riorden.

Gaudet gets his first of many for his pro Career. Also drops his first F bomb on the hot mic afterwards. Gonna go ahead and Assume that wont be an isolated incident as well. pic.twitter.com/Qhrwjd9DTm

— Upstream Lacrosse (@upstreamlax) July 26, 2020

The rookie has got chirps ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/MotHMSWJYA

— Chrome Lacrosse Club (@PLLChrome) July 26, 2020

Matt Gaudet is not shy. pic.twitter.com/P8zchIaCy8

— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) July 26, 2020

The way I see it, there are five layers to this issue:

1. Guadet’s chirping
2. His opponent’s response
3. The role the broadcast plays in highlighting it and extending its reach
4. The lacrosse community’s negative reaction to it
5. The lacrosse community’s (and sportsfans beyond the lacrosse community) positive reaction to it

Starting with Gaudet: He’s a 6-1, 220-pound righty from Hamilton, Ont., who played three years at Salisbury School (Conn.) and was a captain as a senior. He went on to Yale, where he was a four-year starter (who was notably benched for a stretch during his sophomore season) and scored 142 goals. In the 2018 Final Four vs. Albany and Duke, he scored 10 times as the Bulldogs won the title. He finished his degree in New Haven this spring, forgoing the opportunity to spend a final season of eligibility playing college lacrosse elsewhere.

He was selected No. 5 overall by the Chaos and was later traded to the Chrome.

Critics of his approach have pointed to three things: He’s a rookie, he only scored once and he better be prepared to deal with the ramifications. In addition to his goal, his former offensive coordinator and current Marquette head coach Andrew Stimmel noticed some production that doesn’t make its way into the box score.

“That is what Matt does so well for his teammates — subtle seals to open up Gutty and others a few times,” Stimmel texted Sunday a.m. “He’s ‘in the way’ constantly and, as you know, at that level, being a step late is often a goal.”

To that end, his team went on a nine-goal run throughout the second half to turn an early deficit into a 13-9 win.

As for whether he’ll be prepared for forthcoming retribution, fellow Yale alum Shane Thornton speculates that not only will Gaudet be ready, but that he wants that target.

Revenge game + blatantly standing next to the guy you’re chirping = green light by me.
Also has the biggest target on his back for the rest of the Champ series. My guess is that that was Gaudy’s hope https://t.co/7Pg3EtcHba

— Shane Thornton (@Shane_Thornton6) July 26, 2020

It should be noted that Gaudet has taken many big hits throughout his career, several that have resulted in head injuries, which is why — among other reasons — he wears a compression collar around his neck when he plays.

On the decorum of trash talking, the conventional response seems to be, “If you don’t want your opponent to talk trash, do something to stop him.

Very surprised a D man didn’t step up for their goalie. #soft

— Brian Reese (@breese34) July 26, 2020

If you were on the field yesterday and did nothing about it and now you’re complaining on social media…..it’s not a great look for you. You had an opprtunity to handle it and you didn’t. You knew what was happening all game.

— Ryan Flanagan (@RyanFlanagan24) July 26, 2020

Chaos coach Andy Towers pointed to the classlessness of Gaudet’s approach, though later acknowledged accusations of his own team’s propensity to talk trash.

?- what an embarrassment – he puts the ASS in classless. Lack of character ALWAYS shows itself. #tool https://t.co/CVfeGNHGcY

— Andy Towers (@AndyTowersPLL) July 26, 2020

Towers also acknowledged that this type of trash talk has been prevalent outside of the PLL (specifically in the NLL), which raises the important question of the role that the unique access of the broadcast and the quality distribution via PLL’s social media turned this from an issue not about an action, but about public awareness of the action.

Spot on @dougmarcus https://t.co/VgqXOTWnXW

— Andy Towers (@AndyTowersPLL) July 26, 2020

Consider that in less than 24 hours since the clip was was posted, the interview amassed more than 500,000 views on Twitter and more than 100,000 views on Instagram. Surely that’s nearly unprecedented exposure for such a lacrosse clip. In the converstion surrounding the clip, few current and former players dipsute that such trash talking goes on in other games and leagues and by other players, so the issue with this instance has more to do with how aware the public is of its existence and the added social discussion, positively and negatively. Thousands of comments ran the gamut of the issues laid out above.

Electric. I love this https://t.co/kRvkfCC3h5

— Lance Sell (@SellLance) July 26, 2020

Electric. I love this https://t. co/kRvkfCC3h5

— Lance Sell (@SellLance) July 26, 2020

Don’t see any other hate when the NHL or the NFL does it. They’re trying to grow a product and while you may not agree, it can and will attract other people to watch. The sport needs to grow and if you don’t agree with all aspects of the marketing then so be it. But don’t be mad-

— Rob Farrington (@RobFarrington4) July 26, 2020

If this how and what the @PremierLacrosse is marketing, I’ll pass on the product.

— Chris Ryan ? (@CoachRyan30) July 26, 2020

The fact your social media team took the time to make this video is commical, shows the class of the @PLLChrome club. Can’t wait to see how this tournament unfolds#BallDontLie #Karma #Deep

— Steve Fryer (@stevefryer39) July 26, 2020

Sunday’s NBC broadcast of Atlas vs. Waterdogs opened with a sequence spotlighting Gaudet, so it’s clear the league is not shying away from what happened. Whether Gaudet wears a microphone the next time he takes the field will clearly indicate the approach moving forward.

The worst team in the PLL last season, the 1-0 Chrome take the field next on Tuesday night, 9:30 p.m. ET on NCB Sports Network vs. Redwoods LC. The Redwoods are coming off of a loss to the Whipsnakes and play the Chaos on Monday.

2021 NCAA Lacrosse Preview: No. 8 Yale (Men)

College lacrosse is back. As perhaps the most anticipated season in NCAA history approaches, we’re featuring every team ranked in the Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Top 20.

Check back to USLaxMagazine.com each weekday for new previews, scouting reports and rival analysis.

No. 8 Yale

2020 Record: 3-1
Pre-COVID Ranking: 5th

The Yale men’s lacrosse program has been through plenty of adversity over the better part of the past year.

From the fateful March practice when Director of Athletics Victoria Chun informed the team that the lacrosse season had been canceled to the time of press for our February edition, coach Andy Shay had yet to meet with his full program. The Bulldogs had no physical fall season, and much of the roster did not enroll during the first semester of the 2020-21 school year.

In that time, Shay has done little coaching outside of Zoom calls and occasional messages to his team.

“If there’s any clarity, it’s that I realize that I’m not mentally equipped to do anything else [other than coach],” Shay joked. “I told my wife, now I’m not even going to retire. Once I go into retirement, they’re going to bury me on the field, as far as I’m concerned.”

There are few Division I coaches more committed to their craft than Shay, who enters his 12th season at the helm of the Yale program. Since 2010, he’s created one of the most recognizable team cultures in the sport.

When fans and commentators refer to Yale men’s lacrosse, similar clichés are shared.

Toughness. Grit. Blue-collar. Accountability. Team-First Attitude.

Nike/USL Preseason Top 20

Team Previews

The challenge for Shay and his coaching staff throughout 2020 and into the 2021 preseason was daunting on many accounts. Jackson Morrill and Lucas Cotler, both off to Denver as graduate students after Yale did not permit its seniors to return. Matt Gaudent went off to the Premier Lacrosse League. TD Ierlan is also now in a state of limbo, telling US Lacrosse Magazine that he intends to transfer to Denver if the Ivy League does not play spring sports — a league decision that still appears to be pending.

So, what will Shay do about leadership? How could the coaching staff instill that culture in incoming players and maintain it for veterans returning for another season?

“We would do Zoom meetings in the summer and the fall,” Shay said. “By the time September rolled around, I didn’t want to be on a Zoom with anybody. We needed to be a little creative, find a way to kind of introduce [freshmen] to what we’re about as quickly as possible. Without even the fall to have experience, these guys have no idea how we practice or anything.”

Shay knew that with the unorthodox year his program had experienced, he needed an equally unorthodox approach.

When players met on Zoom calls over the winter months, Shay had homework ready. He instructed his team to help write the “Book of Yale Lacrosse,” a figurative story about the culture present in New Haven.

Within the book would be 12-13 “chapters” titled after crucial aspects of the team philosophy. The first chapter was titled “One” in a nod to a common phrase, Only Need Everybody, used in many locker rooms across the country. After that came chapters like “Accountability,” “Humility,” “Process,” “Details,” etc.

Shay’s vision, he hoped, was for players to find external sources of inspiration — speeches from professional athletes like J.J. Watt, excerpts from the Doc Rivers documentary on Netflix, magazine articles on Michael Collins’ role on the Apollo 11 shuttle crew — and place them in the appropriate chapters.

Once complete, the “Book of Yale Lacrosse” would serve as a reminder to returners of the mentality the previous class had helped foster and an introduction to the standard to which the freshmen would be held.

“This is a way to kind of introduce [freshmen] to what we’re about as quickly as possible,” Shay said. “We normally do it kind of organically. We’ll end up maybe losing a game in the spring and we kind of go back to our ethos. Without even the fall to have experience, these guys have no idea how we practice or anything.”

It may have taken a few tries to explain his plan, but Shay eventually had his players eager to learn more about the culture of Yale lacrosse.

“If you were sitting through some of the meetings, you’d understand,” junior star Matt Brandau said. “We’re just trying to find different examples and texts about what makes us what we are, and it was really fun. The clips that stood out to me were from ‘Remember the Titans,’ ‘Miracle,’ ‘Friday Night Lights,’ that kind of thing. ”

For a program that has advanced to the NCAA championship game in consecutive seasons, Yale men’s lacrosse has faced maybe its greatest challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. As has every program in college lacrosse, the Bulldogs have had to adapt.

Shay has helped to instill his culture into the next generation of Yale lacrosse players. There may be no distinct end to their figurative book, but he hopes to write one last chapter with a second championship in three seasons come May.

TD Ierlan, FO, Sr.

Ierlan already owns just about every faceoff record in NCAA history, and as long as the Ivy League plays a spring season, he will be a focal point in New Haven. He now has 1,159 faceoffs in his three-plus-year career, and he returns after winning 84 of 110 faceoffs in 2020 (76.4 percent).

Matt Brandau, A, Soph.

With the departures of Jackson Morrill and Matt Gaudet, Brandau becomes the biggest threat on the Yale offense. He dropped 74 points (50 goals and 24 assists) in his freshman season in 2019 and had 16 goals in four games last season. He’ll be looked to both facilitate the offense and score timely goals.

Fake burst onto the scene his freshman year, helping Yale to the national title. Now a senior, he has 59 ground balls and 32 caused turnovers in his Bulldogs career. Fake will be one of the anchors of a defense that could rank among the nation’s best.

McDermott is poised to have a breakout season with the voids in the Yale offense. The fourth attackman on the 2020 offense has only appeared in six career games, but boasts a toughness and skillset that Shay compared to Gaudet.

“They’re just solid. That group is built well. They play great defense and win faceoffs. With a couple guys moving on, they have a few holes to fill. If you can continue to have that success at the X, it’s going to create a lot of momentum moving forward.”

Combined career points by former Yale stars Jackson Morrill and Matt Gaudet. The duo became one of Yale’s most electric in program history. Morrill transferred to Denver following the cancelation of the season and Gaudet made his presence known in the PLL this summer. The Bulldogs’ offense will look much different in 2021.

Gaudet’s latest undertaking is helping shoot Yale into final

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — If the first glimpse you catch of Matt Gaudet is his photograph online as part of his Yale bio, wow, it’s scary.

His hair is fairly long. His beard is more than fairly thick. Yet it’s those eyes that are particularly striking. Staring, glaring, those eyes cut right through you.

“A piece of it was for comedy and the other piece is because they started calling me ‘The Undertaker’ last year,” Gaudet said after he had scored six goals to help propel Yale to a 20-11 Final Four rout of Albany on Saturday. “I thought I’d embrace it.

“The Undertaker looks like kind of a psycho in his picture, so I figured I’d just tag along and do it with him. I forget what game it was, but (ESPN analyst) Paul Carcaterra gave me the name. I had incredibly long hair before, halfway down my back. My eye black is all messy. I kind of looked like him.”

An Ivy League school? A national lacrosse semifinal? That’s about the last place you’d figure a WWE metaphor to jump off the turnbuckle at you. But there was Gaudet scoring on his first five shots and six of eight to bury Albany on Saturday in front of a crowd of 30,616 at Gillette Stadium.

1of245Yale’s Brian Ward celebrates with the trophy after his team defeated Duke in the NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer/Associated PressShow MoreShow Less2of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Yale Bulldogs head coach Andy Shay celebrates with his team after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less3of2454of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Tyler Warner #5 of the Yale Bulldogs cuts the goal net after the Bulldogs defeat the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less5of245Yale’s John Daniggelis (4) shoots against Duke’s Danny Fowler, left, during the first half of an NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer / Associated PressShow MoreShow Less6of2457of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Lucas Cotler #9 of the Yale Bulldogs celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Duke Blue Devils in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less8of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Yale Bulldogs line up before the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less9of24510of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Ben Reeves #2 of the Yale Bulldogs looks on during the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less11of245Duke’s Brad Smith, right, defends against Yale’s John Daniggelis during the second half of an NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer/Associated PressShow MoreShow Less12of24513of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Matt Gaudet #44 of the Yale Bulldogs celebrates after the Bulldogs defeat the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less14of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: From left, Christopher Keating #11 of the Yale Bulldogs, John Daniggelis #4 and Jerry O’Connor #17 celebrate after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less15of24516of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Joseph Sessa #3 of the Yale Bulldogs celebrates with fans in the stands after the Bulldogs defeat the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less17of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Jackson Morrill #15 of the Yale Bulldogs makes a pass against the Duke Blue Devils celebrate after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less18of24519of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Lucas Cotler #9 of the Yale Bulldogs takes a shot on goal during the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game against the Duke Blue Devils at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less20of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Lucas Cotler #9 of the Yale Bulldogs celebrates after scoring a goal against the Duke Blue Devils in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less21of24522of245Yale players cut the net after defeating Duke in the NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer/Associated PressShow MoreShow Less23of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Members of the Yale Bulldogs cut the net after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less24of24525of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Members of the Yale Bulldogs cut the net after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less26of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Jerry O’Connor #17 of the Yale Bulldogs celebrates with fans after the Bulldogs defeat the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less27of24528of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Will Weitzel #10 of the Yale Bulldogs celebrates after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less29of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: The Yale Bulldogs celebrate after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less30of24531of245Yale’s Aidan Hynes celebrates after his team defeated Duke in the NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer/Associated PressShow MoreShow Less32of245Yale players celebrate after defeating Duke in the NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer/Associated PressShow MoreShow Less33of24534of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Ryan McQuaide #22 of the Yale Bulldogs, Conor Mackie #21 and William Renz #16 celebrate after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less35of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Ryan McQuaide #22 of the Yale Bulldogs celebrates after the Bulldogs defeat the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less36of24537of245Yale’s Jason Alessi, left, defends against Duke’s Brad Smith during the first half of an NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer/Associated PressShow MoreShow Less38of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: The Yale Bulldogs celebrate after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less39of24540of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Sean Cerrone #13 of the Duke Blue Devils defends Jack Tigh #18 of the Yale Bulldogs during the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less41of245Yale coach Andy Shay celebrates with his team after defeating Duke 13-11 in the NCAA men’s lacrosse championship at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less42of24543of245Yale’s Lucas Cotler celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Duke during Monday’s NCAA men’s lacrosse championship at Gillette Stadium on in Foxborough, Mass. Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less44of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Members of the Yale Bulldogs cut the net after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less45of24546of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Yale Bulldogs head coach Andy Shay celebrates with his team after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less47of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Will Weitzel #10 of the Yale Bulldogs celebrates after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less48of24549of245Yale’s Jason Alessi (45) celebrates his goal with Jackson Morrill (15) during the second half of an NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game against Duke, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer / Associated PressShow MoreShow Less50of245Yale’s Brian Ward celebrates with the trophy after his team defeated Duke in the NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer / Associated PressShow MoreShow Less51of24552of245Yale’s John Daniggelis (4) shoots against Duke’s Danny Fowler, left, during the first half of Monday’s NCAA men’s lacrosse championship in Foxborough, Mass.Michael Dwyer / Associated PressShow MoreShow Less53of245Yale players celebrate after defeating Duke in the NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer / Associated PressShow MoreShow Less54of24555of245Yale’s Jason Alessi, left, defends against Duke’s Brad Smith during the first half of an NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer / Associated PressShow MoreShow Less56of245Yale’s Ben Reeves looks on during Monday’s NCAA men’s lacrosse championship at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less57of24558of245Yale’s Matt Gaudet celebrates after beating Duke 13-11 to win the NCAA men’s lacrosse championship on Monday.Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less59of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Ryan McQuaide #22 of the Yale Bulldogs celebrates after the Bulldogs defeat the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less60of24561of245Yale’s Jackson Morrill makes a pass against Duke Blue Devils celebrate after defeating the Duke Blue during Monday’s NCAA men’s lacrosse championship at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less62of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Ryan McQuaide #22 of the Yale Bulldogs, Conor Mackie #21 and William Renz #16 celebrate after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less63of24564of245The Yale men’s lacrosse team celebrates after defeating Duke 13-11 in the NCAA championship game at Gillette Stadium on Monday in Foxborough, Mass.Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less65of245Yale players celebrate after defeating Duke in the NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer / Associated PressShow MoreShow Less66of24567of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: The Yale Bulldogs celebrate after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less68of245Yale’s Ryan McQuaide celebrates after the Bulldogs beat Duke 13-11 to win the men’s lacrosse national championship game at Gillette Stadium on Monday.Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less69of24570of245Yale’s Jack Tigh tried to get past Duke’s Sean Cerrone during the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game Monday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less71of245Duke’s Brad Smith, right, defends against Yale’s John Daniggelis during the second half of an NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer / Associated PressShow MoreShow Less72of24573of245Yale players cut the net after defeating Duke in the NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer / Associated PressShow MoreShow Less74of245Yale’s Aidan Hynes celebrates after his team defeated Duke in the NCAA college Division I championship final lacrosse game, Monday, May 28, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer / Associated PressShow MoreShow Less75of24576of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Yale Bulldogs line up before the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less77of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Tyler Warner #5 of the Yale Bulldogs cuts the goal net after the Bulldogs defeat the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less78of24579of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: From left, Christopher Keating #11 of the Yale Bulldogs, John Daniggelis #4 and Jerry O’Connor #17 celebrate after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less80of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Joseph Sessa #3 of the Yale Bulldogs celebrates with fans in the stands after the Bulldogs defeat the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less81of24582of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Lucas Cotler #9 of the Yale Bulldogs takes a shot on goal during the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game against the Duke Blue Devils at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less83of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Lucas Cotler #9 of the Yale Bulldogs celebrates after scoring a goal against the Duke Blue Devils in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less84of24585of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Members of the Yale Bulldogs cut the net after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less86of245FOXBORO, MA – MAY 28: Jerry O’Connor #17 of the Yale Bulldogs celebrates with fans after the Bulldogs defeat the Duke Blue Devils 13-11 in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship game at Gillette Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less87of24588of245