What has powered Brown’s best start since 2011?

Former Scorpions and Thayer Academy forward Brittany Raphino has fit right in. (David Silverman/Brown Athletics)

Brown head coach Kia McNeill (Avon, Conn.) has several reasons to smile during the early portions of the 2019 season.

That’s largely because the Bears have raced out to a 3-0-1 record, asserting themselves as a serious threat in the Ivy League this fall. Most recently, McNeill’s squad went toe-to-toe with No. 13 Texas A&M in College Station on Sept. 8, earning a 0-0 draw. A result like that against an SEC favorite is bound to turn heads.

McNeill said Brown wanted to conserve energy in the scorching Texas heat, picking their moments to press. The result? Just six shots on goal for one of the top teams in the country.