Bulldogs welcome Wagner to Smithfield for NEC home opener, Saturday at 1 p.m.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Fresh off claiming the Ocean State Cup over No. 2/3 Brown, 11-10, in overtime on Tuesday, the Bryant University men's lacrosse team returns to the Smithfield for the first time in a month to take on Northeast Conference foe Wagner College, Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

"It seems like a year ago that we've played at home and we'll be excited for that reason alone," said Bryant head coach Mike Pressler. "Our hopes and dreams go through NEC play so we'll be very motivated to go tomorrow afternoon."

The Bulldogs (6-3, 1-0 NEC) will look to carry momentum after defeating a top-10 Ivy League opponent for the second time this season. Bryant has really dominated the Seahawks (5-6, 0-2) in the series, holding a 7-0 record and an, 112-36, advantage on the scoreboard. Last year, however, was a different story, as Bryant was just able to edge Wagner in Staten Island, 5-3, Junior attack Tucker James (Essex Fells, N.J.) and senior attack Shane Morrell (Glen Mills, Pa.) each tallied two points on two goals and a pair of assists, respectively. Midfielder Tom Kennedy (Farmingdale, N.Y.), Tom Forsberg (Huntington, N.Y.) and Cody O'Donnell (Smithfield, R.I.) all registered a goal in the win.  

The Bulldogs will look to generate more offense against the Seahawks come Saturday, and will do so relying on the play of James (2g, 1a at Brown) and Morrell (3g, 1a at Brown), along with Kennedy and Forsberg, who both tallied goals and at least one assist against Brown. Junior mid Ryan Sharpe (Poway, Calif.) was also sensational in the second half against Brown, and he finished with three scores and an assist. But Sharpe has been quiet against Wagner in his two career meetings, as he has failed to tally a point.

"Watching Wagner on tape, they certainly have our attention," said Pressler. "We felt last year was the best Wagner team we've seen, and we feel that same way this year. "We have a lot of respect for coach Poskay and the Wagner program."

Netminder Anthony Peruso was stout for the Seahawks last season, as he was one of just two goalies to limit Bryant to under six goals in 2015, making 15 saves in the 5-3 loss. Peruso has since graduated and handed the crease to Matt Sefcik, who makes nine saves per game and turns away 50 percent of the shots he faces, both good for third in the NEC. Sefcik's goals-against average stands at 9.39 which ranks second in the league.

"For us, we have to be disciplined in what we're doing offensively whether they play man or zone," said Pressler. "They are very similar to our task last Tuesday night at Brown, we don't necessarily want to fire shots at will, but we want the best shots."

He is protected by defenders Evan Clark and Andrew Park, the only two Seahawk long poles to start every game this season. Clark has 24 ground balls and eight caused turnovers on the year, while Park has the same number of ground balls and a team lead-leading 16 caused turnovers.

"The key for us Saturday will be emphasizing our transition game and the game between the lines and not allow Wagner to set up a six on six," said Pressler.

The Wagner defense will need to focus on Morrell and James, who have totaled six goals and five assists and five goals and three helpers, respectively, against the Seahawks.

As for the Bryant defense and senior goalie Gunnar Waldt (Freeland, Md.), taking care of business and coming out with the same intensity as they did against Brown on Tuesday will be the goal come Saturday. Waldt made a season-high 17 saves against one of the most high-powered offenses he has faced over his impressive career. He has made 20 stops and allowed just eight goals in two matchups with the Seahawks in his career.

The Bulldog defensive unit, primarily the long poles of Anthony Johnson (Fairfield, Conn.), Chas South (Lincroft, N.J.) and Kyle Mummau (Carlsbad, Calif.) were swarming against Brown on Tuesday, initiating their engagement early in the opponent's possessions, daring them to shoot from 20 yards away from the net. The Bulldogs also forced 17 Brown turnovers, eight of which were caused.

"We very much limited the shots on Tuesday to the perimeter," said Pressler. "Wagner does a great job of getting the ball inside, and that is something we need to take away."

The Black and Gold will need to key in on the play of sophomore attack Andrew Streilein, who leads the NEC and sits 23rd nationally in assists per game at 1.82, and he paces the Seahawks with 36 points on 15 goals and 21 helpers. He is accompanied by junior attackman Patrick McMenamin and his 24 points on 14 goals and 10 assists. Patrick is one of three brothers on the Seahawks, as fellow junior, midfielder William McMenamin along with senior mid Michael McMenamin make up the nucleus of a unique dynamic on the squad.

William has tallied 23 points this season on a team-best 21 goals and a pair of helpers, while also handling half of the opportunities at the X (47-111). Both William and Streilein have also been opportunistic on man-up chances, as they are tied for first in the league and ninth nationally with five individual man-up goals apiece.

The other half to the faceoff rotation this season has been junior mid Anthony Labetti, winning 48.7 percent of his matchups (58-119). Sophomore specialist Kenny Massa (Huntington, N.Y.) has been consistent all season at 51.6 percent on his opportunities, but really asserting himself late in games and winning crucial faceoffs when his team needs him most. He won consecutive faceoffs against Brown to give his team possessions, resulting in the eventual equalizer late in the fourth quarter. Massa still leads the conference in ground balls per contest while sitting 14th in the country with 6.44.

"We pride ourselves on coming out of the gate fast in games, and that starts at the X and the support from the wings," said Pressler. "We pride ourselves in the start and the faceoff has a lot to do with it, so as always we need Kenny and the support to be on their game."

The Bulldogs will need to be primed for a pesky Wagner side and not let Tuesday's upset over No. 2/3 Brown give the team an overabundance of confidence, as the 2016 season has been filled with parody throughout the Division I circuit.

"This year, it has shown across the Division I landscape that if you're not prepared physically and emotionally, you can be had by anyone on any given day," said Pressler.

Saturday's NEC home opener can be seen live on NECFrontRow.com and followed along via the livestats on BryantBulldogs.com.