Saturday, February 21, 2009

BULLDOG LACROSSE HEADS TO SACRED HEART IN SEARCH OF FIRST-EVER DIVISION I WIN 

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University men's lacrosse team hits the road again this Sunday afternoon, travelling to Fairfield, Conn. to take on future NEC opponent Sacred Heart University in search of its first-ever Division I win.

Both teams enter the contest 0-1, after the Pioneers dropped a 15-6 Valentine's Day decision to UMass Amherst on the road. Sacred Heart was led by three tallies from junior Timmy Katz in the loss, while UMass scored seven unanswered goals to solidify the win late in the second half.

But the Pioneers welcome back nine of their top 10 scorers from last season in 2009, and they will be looking toward their senior captain Bobby Rushton (14 goals in 2008), senior Dan Casciano (22 goals in 2008) and Katz (22 goals, 15 assists in 2008) to carry much of the scoring load.

Sacred Heart also welcomes a fairly young backfield, anchored by senior Shawn McDonough, highlighted by the coming of sophomore netminder Zack Frank and junior goalie Tom Trgo , both vying for the top spot between the pipes.

But for the Bulldogs, having already faced off - and held their own - against one of the nation's top teams in the University of Virginia should up their confidence entering Sunday's contest.

In its season-opening 10-4 loss to the Cavaliers, Bryant saw senior captain Kevin Hoagland (Glastonbury, Conn.) notch his first two goals of the season, with sophomore Gary Crowley (Scituate, Mass.) and junior Bryant Amitrano (Valley Stream, N.Y.) chipping in a tally apiece. Duke transfer and co-captain Zack Greer (Whitby, Ont.) added a pair of helpers and five shots.

Rookie goalkeeper Jameson Love (Darien, Conn.) had a stellar game in net in his first career appearance for the Black and Gold, making nine saves as the Bulldogs were outshot by top-ranked UVA just 33-30.

Bryant and Sacred Heart, currently of the CAA, will be two of six members of the upstart Northeast Conference men's lacrosse league, set to play its inaugural season in 2010-11.  Fellow NEC core members Mount St. Mary's (MAAC), Quinnipiac (GWLL), Robert Morris (CAA) and Wagner (MAAC) will also end their current affiliations to join their home conference.

The Bulldogs and the Pioneers face off at Campus Field at 1 p.m.