Bulldogs host Vermont in first regular-season contest inside the Conaty Indoor Athletic Center Saturday (1p)

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's lacrosse team will look to continue its forward momentum Saturday, when the Bulldogs host the University of Vermont for a 1 p.m. matchup in the Conaty Indoor Athletic Center.

The Catamounts (0-5) enter the contest against the Bulldogs (1-1) looking for their first win of the 2017 season after a narrow defeat at the hands of Siena, 12-10, earlier this week. Vermont is led by 15-point scorer Alison Bolt (7 goals, 8 assists), while Brynne Yarranton is the team's top goal scorer at nine. Meredith Moore (6g, 6a) and Jenna Janes (7g, 3a) have also picked up double-digit points in five games played.

Bolt also stands as one of the Catamounts' most dynamic playmakers, registering a team-leading nine caused turnovers and tying Emma Tizard with 12 draw control wins.

Maddy Kuras has received the majority of minutes between the pipes and is the goalie of record in all five losses, but leads the team with 10 ground balls. She has posted a 14.46 goals against average and .450 save percentage with 49 stops so far this season.

Vermont has struggled with turnovers on the young campaign, averaging 17.8 per contest, and is just 6-for-15 on free position opportunities.

WEATHER PROOF
Saturday's game will mark the first official regular-season contest to be played inside the new Conaty Indoor Athletic Center, which opened in May 2016. Both men's and women's lacrosse have played a preseason scrimmage in the new facility.

DAWGS vs. CATS
The Bulldogs and the Catamounts have faced off just once before, in last season's opener in Burlington. Bryant came away with the 11-7 victory led by seven different goal scorers, five of whom remain on the roster in 2017. Now-sophomore Jess DeMeo (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) picked up two goals in the contest while junior goalie Samantha Santeramo (Wantagh, N.Y.) got the win with nine saves between the pipes.

DEFENSIVE DYNAMO
Senior captain Molly Martin (Island Park, N.Y.) was a dynamo on the backline and in transition in Bryant's 14-3 win over Holy Cross Feb. 25, tying her career highs in both caused turnovers (4) and ground balls (5). The effort won her NEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.