Bulldogs drop thriller with Vermont, 13-12

BURLINGTON, VT. – Kevin Groeninger tied his career high with seven points but the Bryant University men's lacrosse dropped a thriller, 13-12, to the University of Vermont on Saturday afternoon. 

With the loss, the Bulldogs fall to 8-3 overall and 4-1 in America East play. The Catamounts improve to 5-0 in America East play. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs clinched a spot in the 2023 America East Tournament.

Groeninger matched his career high with seven points, scoring four goals and adding three assists. Aidan Goltz added his sixth hat trick of the year.

Game Information
Vermont 13, Bryant 12
Records: Bryant 8-3, 4-1, Vermont 7-4, 5-0
Location: Virtue Field (Burlington, Vt.)

Key Moment

• The Catamounts made a defensive stop in the final 90 seconds and scored moments later to make it a two-goal game.           

How it Happened

• Vermont scored the first two goals before Groeninger potted his first of the afternoon. 
• Groeninger then brought Bryant within a goal, 4-3, before the first quarter ended.
• The Catamounts would then score the next three to make it 7-3.
• Bryant, however, would score the next five. Johnny Hackett, Connor McMahon and Goltz potted goals to bring Bryant within a goal at the break.
• Jack Lonsinger and Groeninger then scored 27 aparts in the early parts of the third quarter to give Bryant an 8-7 lead.
• The Catamounts would score the final three goals of the quarter to take a 10-8 lead to the final 15.
• Bryant quickly tied the game in the fourth as Lonsinger and John Tomsheck scored to tie it at 10-10.
• Vermont would take a 12-10 lead before Goltz scored with 2:09 left. 
• Bryant had the the ball with under 2:00 left but a turnover led to a Vermont goal. 
• The Bulldogs then scored with 18 seconds left and received a man up opportunity. The Bulldogs were unable to tie the game.

Stats

• Bryant outshot Vermont, 53-40.
• Bryant held a 39-28 advantage in ground balls.
• Nathan Laliberte won 19-of-28 faceoffs against All-American Tommy Burke.
• Groeninger led Bryant with four goals and three assists.
• Goltz posted three goals and finished with 19 shots.
• Lonsinger potted two goals. 

Game Notes

• Vermont owns a 4-3 lead in the all-time series. The home team has won all seven meetings.
• Despite the loss Bryant clinched a spot in the 2023 America East Tournament.
• Timmy Hackett extended his point streak to 17 games dating back to last season.
• Goltz now has six hat tricks on the year.
• Groeninger recorded his fifht hat trick of the year and has multiple goals in each of his last seven games. Groeninger leads the team with 49 points.

Up Next
Bryant heads to Vermont next Saturday to face the Catamounts. Faceoff is set for 3:30 p.m.