#3 Bryant faces off with #2 Central Connecticut in NEC Semifinals Fri. (2:30 p.m.)

BULLDOG SET FOR REMATCH WITH CCSU, FRIDAY (2:30 P.M.) FOR NEC SEMIFINALS IN WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Coming off a huge 15-2 victory over Mount St. Mary's in its regular season finale on Sunday, the Bryant University women's lacrosse team will prepare for a rematch with Central Connecticut State in the Northeast Conference Tournament Semifinals, Sunday (2:30 p.m.) in West Long Branch, N.J.

The Bulldogs (9-7, 6-3 Northeast Conference) earned the #3 overall seed in the NEC Tournament with the victory over the Mountaineers on an emotion-filled Senior Day in Smithfield. On Sunday, the Black and Gold got off to a quick start thanks to a pair of goals from junior midfielder Lisa Vendel (Sandy Hook, Conn.), kick-starting an 8-0 Bryant run to open the contest. In an inspired effort from top to bottom, the Bulldogs poured in 15 goals, including a whopping five scores from freshman Lauren Descalzo (Hauppauge, N.Y.), tying her career high. Even more impressive was Bryant's defensive effort, as the Bulldog defense and junior goalkeeper Brianna Watt (Babylon, N.Y.) allowed a season-best two goals on just eight shots.

On Friday, Bryant will faceoff with cross-state nemesis Central Connecticut State (9-8, 7-2 NEC) for the right to play in the NEC Tournament Championship. Earlier this month in Smithfield, the Blue Devils escaped the Bryant Turf Complex with a 9-8 win on a last-second score by Mackenzy Ryan. The Bulldogs found themselves down, 8-6, with less than five minutes to play in the back-and-forth contest, but a pair of goals from junior midfielder Kimberley Sniffen (Redding, Conn.), at 3:58 and 1:10, knotted the game, 8-8, before Ryan threw in the game-winner with five ticks left on the clock.

In their first season of Division I postseason eligibility, the Bulldogs were selected to finish seventh in the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll. But, behind the guidance and leadership of first-year head coach Jill DePetris, Bryant well-exceeded expectations, surprising everyone but themselves, to finish third in the conference and clinch its first-ever NEC Tournament appearance.

"This is certainly a milestone for our program," said DePetris. "To qualify for the postseason in our first year of eligibility, exceeding preseason expectations in the process; I could not be more proud."

CCSU enters Tournament-action coming off back-to-back losses against Mount St. Mary's (5-4) and Monmouth (9-7) after opening NEC-play with seven-straight victories. The Blue Devils are led by senior attack Betsy Vendel who finished the regular season with 51 points on 32 goals and 19 assists, while Ryan and junior Amanda Toke rank second and third with 39 points (22g, 17a) and 33 points (26g, 7a), respectively. Sophomore Morgan Tullar logged every minute in goal for Central, posting an 8.89 goals against average (second-best in NEC) and a NEC-best .478 save percentage.

"We know that Friday vs. Central Connecticut will be a 60-minute battle," added DePetris. "But we will continue to remain focused on our gameplanning and preparation throughout the week."

"Our self-motivation this season has kept us on track and has put us in a position to compete for an NEC Championship."

The Bulldogs are set for a rematch against the Blue Devils on Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the second of two NEC Semifinals, the first starting a 12 p.m. between Monmouth and Mount St. Mary's. The winner of each semifinal will earn the right to play for the NEC Title on Sunday.

For links to live stats and streaming video of Friday's action and all the latest news on the Bryant University women's lacrosse team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.