NEW HAVEN, Conn. – It's been a big week for Matt Brandau. On Tuesday he was selected by the Philadelphia Waterdogs with the seventh overall pick in the Premier Lacrosse League Draft. Two days later, he has been named one of five men's finalists for the 2024 Tewaaraton Award Presented By Stifel.
 
The Tewaaraton Award is recognized as the pre-eminent lacrosse award, annually honoring the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States.
 
The winner will be announced in Washington, D.C., at the annual Tewaaraton Award Ceremony on May 30 at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.
 
The four other men's finalists are Brennan O'Neill (Duke), Connor Shellenberger (Virginia), Liam Entenmann (Notre Dame) and Pat Kavanagh (Notre Dame).
 
"We are incredibly proud of these talented student-athletes," said Tewaaraton Foundation President Andy Phillips. "They've given us memorable performances and have distinguished themselves as the best in college lacrosse. It's with great excitement that we look forward to hosting them at the Tewaaraton Ceremony."
 
It's been a remarkable senior season for Brandau, who was named the Ivy League Player of the Year and leads the nation in points per game (6.73) and assists per game (3.80). His 101 points (44 goals, 57 assists) are the second most in a season in school history and the sixth most in Ivy history. Twice he tallied eight assists in a game, and against Colgate he had 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists).
 
Brandau finished his outstanding career as the Ivy League's all-time leader in goals and points and Yale's all-time leader in goals, assists and points. In 70 games with the Bulldogs, he had 198 goals, 162 assists and 360 points. He is a three-time All-American and a three-time first team All-Ivy selection.
 
TD Ierlan was the last Bulldog to be selected as a finalist for the prestigious award in 2019. Ben Reeves, who led Yale to the NCAA championship, was the recipient of the 2018 Tewaaraton Award.