Bulldogs open NEC play at Wagner (Fri.) and MSM (Sun.)

SMITHFIELD, R.I – The unanimous selection in the Northeast Conference preseason poll, the Bryant University women's lacrosse team opens up NEC play with games at Wagner College (Apr. 4) and Mount St. Mary's (Apr. 6). Friday's contest is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. while Sunday's game will begin at noon.

The Bulldogs (6-3) are off to their best start in Division I history, and with non-conference play over, begin their quest to return to the NEC Championship game for the second-straight year. Picked to finish first in the preseason poll, the Black and Gold will be facing the Seahawks and Mountaineers, teams picked to finish seventh and second respectively.

Bryant owes much of its success to an offense that has averaged over 11 goals per game on the season, a total that ranks second in the league behind Robert Morris (12.33). The Bulldogs have been led by seniors Lisa Vendel (Sandy Hook, Conn.) and Haley Bloom (Hauppauge, N.Y.) and sophomore Lauren Descalzo (Hauppauge, N.Y.). Vendel is coming off a solid game against Brown in which she scored four goals to bring her season total to 23. Descalzo is putting together quite a sophomore season as she is second in scoring with 22 goals of her own. To round out the bunch Bloom leads the team with 11 assists, but isn't afraid to go for goal with 12 tallies thus far.

Brianna Watt (Babylon, N.Y.) has been a workhorse for the Black and Gold, recording every minute in the net. Watt has 66 saves and a .405 save percentage thus far, and will have to keep her defense ready against a scrappy Wagner team.

The Seahawks (4-5) are coming into Friday's matchup after putting together a tremendous performance at Delaware State, where their offense exploded for 20 goals. Wagner is led in scoring by Shea Gegan and Stephanie Peterson who share the team lead with 15 goals apiece. On the defensive side, Katie Ferraro and Shannon Sweeney have shared the responsibilities in the net, leading to a 10.01 goal against average, the lowest mark in the conference.

On Sunday, the Bulldogs will head south to Emmitsburg, Md., to face the Mountaineers. Picked to finish second in the preseason, the Mount has struggled out of the gate going 1-8 in non-conference play. MSM currently ranks last in the league in goal per game (5.89) and points per game (7.44) and has lost its last six games. They are led by Erin Seipp and Lindsay Diaz. Seipp has led the Mountaineers in scoring with 12 tallies on the year, while Lindsay Diaz leads the team in points (14) and assists (4). Steph Rurkowski has started all nine games in goal and has collected 89 saves with a .436 save percentage.

Friday's game will be played at Wagner College Stadium. Sunday's matchup will be played at Waldron Family Stadium. Both games can be seen live and free of charge at NECFrontRow.com.