Groeninger scores five in return as Bulldogs down NJIT

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's lacrosse team defeated NJIT 12-8 on  Saturday at Beirne Stadium. The Black and Gold improve to 2-1 in conference play and have four of their last five games. 

After missing the past three games with injury, Kevin Groeninger would return and power the Bulldog offense with five goals and one assist.

Aidan Goltz would also record a hat trick posting three goals and one assist on the afternoon.

Game Information
Bryant 12, NJIT 8
Records: Bryant 6-3, 2-1 NJIT 7-3, 0-3
Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I.)

Key Moment

• Aidan Gotlz would connect with Mason Drouin with 14:31 to go in the fourth to put the Black and Gold up 10-7 and give Bryant their largest lead of the game to that point. The Bulldogs would then go on a 2-1 run to close out the game.

How it Happened

• After exchanging shots to open the first NJIT's Teddy Grimley would be the first player to score in the contest at 5:59 in the first.

• Bryant's Kevin Groeninger would strike back for Bryant scoring an unassisted goal after being inactive the past three weeks.

• In the closing seconds of the first NJIT would get on the board once again and lead 2-1 after one.

• Timmy Hackett would find Groeninger a half minute into the second to knot the score up at two.

• Aidan Goltz would find the net just over a minute later and give Bryant their first lead of the day; 3-2. 

• NJIT would counter and score two consecutive goals to even the score at 5.

• Mason Drouin would then assist Aidan Goltz with just under minutes to go in the half and give the Black and Gold a 6-5 lead going into halftime.

• Coming out of the half Garret Muscatella back-to-back goals (even and man-up) to put the Highlanders ahead 7-6. 

• Johnny Hackett would join the scoring affair for Bryant and put the Black and Gold ahead 8-7. 

• Bryant would then rattle off three straight goals from Timmy Hackett, Mason Drouin, and Patrick Walsh

• Owen Corry would get NJIT on the board in the fourth with a score but would quickly be followed up as Kevin Groeninger would score on a man up opportunity and seal the deal for Bryant.

Stats

• Bryant won the ground ball margin 39-36.

• Nathan LaLiberte would go 13-22 at the X in the victory.

• The Bulldogs outshot the Highlanders 32-24

• Bryant's Scott Einarson and NJIT's Liam Brown both had 9 saves in the game.

• The Black and Gold would go 20-22 on clears.

Game Notes

• Groeninger's 5 goals marked a season high for the graduate attackman (Previous 4, 2x Last at Boston University ).

• Connor Whalen led the Dawgs defense with 8 ground balls and 2 caused turnovers.

• Since taking over as Bryant's starting goaltender, Scott Einarson is 4-0 in net.

• Aidan Goltz has recorded a hat trick in 2 of Bryant's last 3 games.

• Bryant went 1-4 in man up opportunities today (Groeninger: Q4 2:42).

• Mason Drouin has scored in every game so far this season.

• Turnovers between Bryant and NJIT were even with 22 a piece. 

Up Next
Bryant will travel to New York next week where they will take on UAlbany under the lights. Faceoff is set for 7:00 PM.