Box Score PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Bryant University men's lacrosse team received hat tricks from three different individuals on its way to a 19-7 season-opening victory over in-state rival Providence College on Saturday afternoon at Chapey Field.
The 19 goals are the most by a Bulldog to open a season in DI program history. Bryant has now won back-to-back games and is 9-4 all-time against the Friars.
On Saturday, sophomores Bennett Abladian, Aidan Goltz and Isaiah Davis all scored three times, with Goltz adding an assist for a four-point afternoon. Marc O'Rourke led the way with five points (2g, 3a), while Logan McGovern, Jacob Alexander and Timmy Hackett all had multiple-point efforts.
Alexander also got it done at the X, winning 20-of-29 faceoffs and finishing with 15 ground balls. Luke Caracciolo made 15 saves to earn the win in cage.
Game Information
Bryant 19, Providence 7
Records: Bryant (1-0), Providence (1-1)
Location: Chapey Field (Providence, R.I.)
Coach Pressler's Comments
Our season opener against our in-state rival PC was a complete team effort on both sides of the ball. We were certainly not pretty at times but our guys competed for the full 60 minutes against a very tough Friar team. In the end, if you can win the middle - win faceoffs and make saves - you will always have a chance to be successful.
Key Moment
- Leading 5-3 at the start of the second quarter, Will Ronan scored late in the shot clock and Alexander followed by winning and the faceoff and scoring to make it 7-3. Bryant's lead never dipped under four the rest of the way.
How it Happened
- Providence scored two of the first three goals on Saturday but the Black and Gold responded with the next four to earn a 5-3 lead after one quarter.
- O'Rourke tied the game with a bar-down rocket from 10 yards out.
- Goltz and Davis then made it 4-2 as they scored back-to-back goals. Goltz's first came off a diagonal feed from O'Rourke. The pass set Goltz up with an open look and he fired it home.
- Davis also took a great feed, this one from McGovern, before dodging to his left and firing one over the right shoulder of the goalie.
- Jon Miller set up Bryant's fifth goal with a big check at midfield. He collected the ground ball and fed McGovern for a goal in transition.
- The Bulldogs then opened the game up with five-straight goals to start the second quarter.
- Will Ronan tallied his first late in the shot clock and Alexander won the ensuing faceoff and raced down the middle of the field and finished low.
- Bennett Abladian was able to pot a rebound goal to make it 8-3, Goltz let go another howitzer to make it 9-3 and Davis scored his second with a snipe from just above goal-line extended.
- The Black and Gold then scored the first four goals coming out of halftime. Goltz completed his hat trick, Abladian scooped and scored a rebound and Hackett went end-to-end for a goal. He made a man miss at midfield with a swim move and then fired it home.
- Connor Whalen registered his first goal as a Bulldog in the fourth quarter, intercepting a clearing pass from the goalie and scoring.
Stats
- Bryant outshot Providence, 57-32.
- The Bulldogs won the ground-ball battle, 44-31.
- Bryant won 20-of-30 faceoffs.
- O'Rourke led all players with five points on two goals and three assists.
- Goltz recorded four points with three goals and an assist.
- Abladian and Davis each recorded a hat trick.
- McGovern (2g, 1a), Alexander (2g, 1a) and Hackett (1g, 2a) all finished with three points.
- Alexander won 20-of-29 faceoffs and collected 15 ground balls.
- Hackett added five ground balls to his effort.
- Brody Rule led Bryant with two caused turnovers.
- Caracciolo made 15 saves in goal.
Game Notes
- Bryant is now 9-4 against Providence, having won each of the last two meetings.
- The 19 goals are the most by the Bulldogs in a season opener in DI program history.
- Alexander's 20 faceoff wins are the second-most in his career. The 15 ground balls are also second-most.
- O'Rourke now has 114 goals, 50 assists and 164 career points. He moved into third-place in DI program history in goals and into fifth place in assists.
- Hackett matched his career high in points and set a career high in ground balls.
Up Next
The Bulldogs return to the field next Saturday when they travel to Boston to face the Terriers. Faceoff is set for 4:00 p.m.
