BRYANT LACROSSE

Bulldogs Host Adelphi Saturday at 1 p.m.  
2007 Season Preview

First year coach Mike Pressler leads the eighth-ranked Bryant University Bulldogs into its season opener Saturday vs. #7 Adelphi (Duke Sports Information Photo)

SMITHFIELD, RI - A new era in Bryant lacrosse is ready to begin this Saturday when the eighth-ranked Bulldogs host seventh-ranked Adelphi University in the 2007 season opener.  The game, which starts at 1 p.m. at the Bryant Turf Field, will mark the debut of first-year coach Mike Pressler. 

The Bulldogs, ranked No. 8 by Lacrosse Magazine in its preseason poll, were picked to finish second in the Northeast-10 Conference this season behind defending conference and national champion Le Moyne. 

For 27 letterwinners returning from last year's team that went 11-5 and earned another top-10 national ranking, it's been an off-season of excitement and hard work to prepare for the opportunities that exist in 2007. 

"I am very pleased with our player's attitude and the effort they have given from Day One," added Pressler. "They have been terrific to myself and my staff and have welcomed our philosophy with open arms and for that I am grateful."

While the quantity of veterans back this spring(seven starters return) look good on paper, the Bulldogs will have plenty of youth and depth questions heading into the new year.
 
"In all my years of coaching, I have never had under 40 players so coming into the season with 37, I am concerned with our depth," said Pressler. "Our first group is solid at each position, but the gap between experience and newcomers is a concern of mine.  We have only two seniors on the roster, but the leadership that Bryan Molk and Corey MacDougall bring, it doesn't get any better than to have those three as our team leaders." 

Including among those returners are three sophomores, Bryan Kauffman, Kevin Hoagland, and Matt McKeefrey which combined to score 76 goals.