Bulldogs wrap up South Carolina trip at Presbyterian, Tuesday at 4 p.m.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's lacrosse team plays its second game in South Carolina spanning three days when it takes on Presbyterian College on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.  

The Bulldogs (3-3) are looking to carry their momentum from Saturday's come-from-behind overtime victory at Winthrop into Clinton, S.C. Senior attack Lauren Descalzo (Hauppauge, N.Y.) put the team on her back in the second half, scoring four goals to help Bryant eradicate a 10-4 halftime deficit before netting the game winner in OT, giving her 17 goals on the season. Sophomore attack Catlin Brown (San Diego, Calif.) tallied her first hat trick of the year, while senior Nicole Britton (Monmouth Beach, N.J.) and frosh Lauren Britton (Monmouth Beach, N.J.) registered two and three points, respectively. Sophomore goal keeper Samantha Santeramo (Wantagh, N.Y.) entered in the second half and allowed just two goals while turning away four shots.  

Santeramo and the rest of Bryant's defense will have their hands full against a Blue Hose (2-5) side that is paced by four double-digit point getters. Sophomore mid Lauren Schaff leads the squad with 21 points on 19 goals and 2 assists. Freshman attack Cady Roberts is second on the Blue Hose with 16 points on 11 goals and five helpers, and midfielders Jess Goergen (11g, 1a) and Claire Frase (10g, 1a) sit third and fourth.

The Bulldogs' attack will also be tested against an active Presbyterian defense that ranks third in the nation with 13.20 caused turnovers per game and leads all Division I programs with 33.20 ground balls per contest. Junior defender Maura Talvacchia leads the country with 4.40 caused turnovers per outing and both her (4.4) and sophomore keeper Sophia Cuzzupe (4.8) sit third and second at the DI circuit in ground balls per game.

Cuzzupe has been terrific picking up ground balls this season, but she sets towards the bottom of the Big South Conference in saves percentage (35.9) and goals-against average (12.47).

The Bulldogs last played the Blue Hose in 2012 in Atlanta, Ga., and earned a 17-8 win. Both sides played each other for the first time in 2010 when Presbyterian hosted and defeated Bryant, 13-11.

First draw in Tuesday's contest is set to begin at 4:00 p.m. and the action can be followed along via livestats on GoBlueHose.com.