Bryant faces UAlbany in America East Championship on ESPNU

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The second-seeded Bryant University men's lacrosse team will face fourth-seeded UAlbany in the 2023 America East Championship on Saturday afternoon in Burlington, Vermont. Faceoff is set for 1:00 p.m. and the game will air on ESPNU.

Bryant will be competing for the AE Championship in its first season in the conference. The Black and Gold won six Northeast Conference Championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament five times (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021). 

The Bulldogs advanced to Saturday with a 12-11 win over third-seeded Binghamton on Thursday night. UAlbany upset top-seeded Vermont, 10-4, on Thursday.

The Particulars
Opponent: UAlbany
Location: Virtue Field (Burlington, Vt.)
Date and Time: Saturday, May 6 – 1:00 p.m.
Watch: ESPNU  
Live Stats: Sidearm 
Game Notes: Bryant
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #GoBryant | #AEMLax 

THE SERIES
Bryant and UAlbany are meeting for the sixth time in program history. The Bulldogs earned a 20-16 victory in the first meeting this year in Smithfield. Bryant's April 8 victory marked the first win by the home team in the series.

BRYANT IN THE POSTSEASON
Bryant won six NEC Tournament titles from 2011-2022, including four-straight from 2012-2015. The Black and Gold's last championship came in 2021. Saturday will be Bryant's seventh championship game appearance.

SCOUTING UALBANY
The Great Danes advanced with a 10-4 upset of top-seeded Vermont on Thursday. Silas Richmond scored five goals, while Tommy Heller made 19 saves in goal. Eight of UAlbany's 10 goals in the semifinal came from freshmen. Jake Piseno was named the America East Defensive Player of the Year, ranking second nationally in caused turnovers per game. UAlbany is making its 16th appearance in the America East Championship game.  

All Conference Accolades
Johnny Hackett was named the America East Rookie of the Year and was one of six Bulldogs to earn all-conference honors. Kevin Groeninger was named to the first team with Hackett, while Timmy Hackett and Drew Lucas earned second team honors. Jack Lonsinger and Hackett were also named to the all-rookie team.

BRYANT NOTES AND NOTABLES

• The Bulldogs are 11-4 overall following Thursday's 12-11 win over Binghamton.
• Bryant ranks in the top 10 nationally with 14.7 goals per game. 
• The Bulldogs have five players with 40+ points for the first time in program history. 
• Kevin Groeninger paces the group with 61 points, while Aidan Goltz (40-15-55), Johnny Hackett (39-12-51), Timmy Hackett (21-23-44) and Jack Lonsinger (40-2-42) all have 40+.
• Goltz scored four times on Thursday to become just the sixth player in DI program history to score 40 goals in a season. 
• Groeninger is just two assists shy of becoming the first player in DI program history with 30+ goals and 30+ assists in a single season.
• Drew Lucas has 53 ground balls and 21 caused turnovers on the year, while Tanner Alexander has 39 ground balls and 21 caused turnovers.
• Teagan Alexander posted 11 saves on Thursday and owns a 11.78 goals against average. 

Follow Bryant University men's lacrosse on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get an inside look at the program.