SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's lacrosse team will open the 2026 season on Saturday, Feb 7 when it hosts Sacred Heart. First draw is set for 1:00 p.m.

The Particulars
Opponent: Sacred Heart
Location: Conaty Indoor Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)
Date and Time: Saturday, February 7–12:00 p.m.
Watch: America East TV
Live Stats: Sidearm
Tickets: Limited to Pass List
Game Notes: Bryant | Sacred Heart
Social Media: Facebook | X | Instagram | #GoBryant | #AEWLax 

THE SERIES

• The Bulldogs enter Saturday 12-4 in the all-time series with the Pioneers.
• The former Northeast Conference rivals faced off 14 times from 2009-2022, with Bryant posting a 10-4 record against Sacred Heart during their time together in the NEC.
• Bryant came away with a 13-8 victory last season. Emily DeGeorge led the offense with a four-goal performance.
• The Bulldogs have won their last four games against Sacred Heart. In those four contests, they have outscored the Pioneers 59-31.
• The Black and Gold are 7-1 at home against SHU. Their lone home loss came on Apr. 7, 2021.

LAST TIME OUT

• The Bulldogs finished the 2025 season with an 11-7 overall record and a 5-1 record against America East Conference opponents. 
• In just its third season in the league the Black and Gold claimed their first-ever share of an America East Regular Season title and earned the No. 1 Seed for the America East Playoffs. 
• After a remarkable five-goal comeback victory over No. 4 Seed UMBC in the conference semifinals, the top-seeded Bulldogs advanced to its first America East Championship in program history and its first conference championship appearance since 2022.
•  Bryant would finish as the runner-up to the No. 3 Seed UAlbany Great Danes in the 2025 America East Championship, falling by a final score of 14-10.

PRESEASON ACCOLADES

• The Black and Gold enter the 2026 season ranked second in the America East Preseason Coaches Poll. 
• Bryant received two of the league's seven first place votes. 
• Emily DeGeorge, Riley O'Mara, Kaelynn O'Brien and Jessica Tosone were all named to the preseason all-conference team. 
• Bryant had a league-best four Preseason All-Conference selections, highlighted by reigning Defender of the Year Kaelynn O'Brien, while UMBC was second three honorees. UAlbany, UMass Lowell and Vermont each had a pair selections.

ON THE ATTACK

• Bryant's leading goal scorer in 2025, Emily DeGeorge, returns for her senior season in Smithfield. DeGeorge led the team with 42 goals and added seven assists despite missing the final three games of the season.
• DeGeorge posted a career-high seven goals in Bryant's win at LIU on Feb. 19, and in her final appearance of the year, she recorded seven points (5g, 2a) to power the Bulldogs to a 16–14 victory over Vermont on Apr. 19.
• Riley O'Mara and Gabriella Constant each posted 30-plus goal campaigns for the Black and Gold in 2025. 
• O'Mara earned Second Team All-America East recognition after recording 33 goals and five assists, while also adding 18 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers. 
• Constant capped the season with a team-high 38 goals and six assists, converting seven free-position goals on 19 attempts and collecting nine ground balls.
• Elise Larsen rounds out the top five from Bryant's offense a season ago. In 18 contests, Larsen recorded 16 goals and dished out 23 assists.

LOCKDOWN DAWGS

• Bryant finished second in the nation last season in caused turnovers per game, averaging 13.11.
• Kaelynn O'Brien ranked sixth in the nation in 2025 in caused turnovers with 52 across 18 games. She recorded at least one caused turnover in all but two contests and posted multiple caused turnovers in 15 games, including a three-game stretch where she averaged five per contest against Dartmouth, Rhode Island and Holy Cross. 
• Jessica Tosone finished last season ranked 17th nationally in ground balls, scooping 55 in 18 games. She  also ranked second on the team in caused turnovers with 45.

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS

• Sacred Heart posted a 6-10 overall record in 2025, including a 4-4 mark against conference opponents. The Pioneers' season came to an end in the opening round of the MAAC Tournament with a 16-11 loss to Quinnipiac.
• SHU was picked seventh out of 12 teams in the MAAC Preseason Poll. The defending conference champion, Fairfield took home the top spot in the poll.
• Junior defender Madelyn Breitbeil was named to the Preseason All-MAAC Team.
• In 11 games last season, Breitbeil recorded two or more caused turnovers, including a season-high five caused turnovers in contests against Bryant, Boston University, and Siena. She also had nine games with three or more ground balls. Last year Breitbeil was named First Team All-MAAC and  earned MAAC Defender of the Week honors on April 7.
• The Pioneers defense ranked 15th nationally in caused turnovers per game (10.33) and 12th in scoring defense (9.27 goals allowed per game).
• The Pioneers are coached by Laura Korutz, who is in her 26th season at the helm.

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