Bulldogs clinch second-straight NEC regular-season title, tournament hosting rights with 8-4 win over Wagner

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Behind a hat trick from junior attack Lauren Descalzo (Hauppauge, N.Y.), the Bryant University women's lacrosse team remained undefeated in league play, clinching its second-consecutive Northeast Conference regular-season title with an 8-4 win over Wagner College Friday afternoon at home.

The Bulldog (12-3, 6-0 NEC) victory also marked the Seahawks' (8-8, 5-1) first conference loss of the year and earned the Black and Gold the top seed and hosting rights for the upcoming NEC Tournament, to be played May 1 and 3.

The Bulldogs never trailed in the contest, opening up a 4-0 lead 12 minutes into the game. A Descalzo free position shot six minutes in broke the scoreless deadlock, and the junior leading scorer tacked on a second goal just minutes after an Emily Columbus (East Northport, N.Y.) tally for a 3-0 Bryant advantage.

Sophomore Shannon Sullivan (Farmingdale, N.Y.) gave the Bulldogs a four-goal lead with 18 to go, netting a free position opportunity for her third score of the year, but Wagner's Gretchen Fay would put an end to the Bulldog run at the 11:46 mark with an unassisted goal to get the Seahawks on the board.

A breakaway opportunity in the final seconds of the half led to a Nicole Britton (Monmouth Beach, N.J.) score, assisted by Descalzo, with three ticks to go and send the Bulldogs into the break with a 5-1 lead.

Bryant opened second-half action with goals from Columbus and senior Skylar Zlotnick (Essex Fells, N.J.), adding insurance goals for a 7-1 advantage. Wagner would rebound from there, scoring three of the last four tallies despite enduring a bevy of yellow cards, but the surge would not be enough to make up the commanding Bulldog margin in the 8-4 final.

Rookie netminder Samantha Santeramo (Wantagh, N.Y.) stood out between the pipes for the Black and Gold, turning away seven to move to 8-1 on the year, while Wagner goalie Katie Ferraro made an impressive 13 saves, including seven in the second half alone, despite taking the loss (6-7).

The Bulldogs outshot the Seahawks, 26-21, on the afternoon and took the edge in draw controls, 8-6. Wagner led the ground ball margin, 21-19, and turned the ball over 24 times to Bryant's 19 miscues.

Descalzo would finish the day with a game-high four points (3 goals, 1 assist), while Britton (1g, 2a) and Columbus (2g, 1a) each posted three points. Sophomore defender Molly Martin (Island Park, N.Y.) picked up four ground balls and three caused turnovers for the hosts.

The Bulldogs host Mount St. Mary's Sunday afternoon to celebrate 2015 Senior Day at the Bryant Turf Complex (1 p.m.). Sunday's tilt can be seen live and free-of-charge on NECFrontRow.com.