Bryant kicks off 2020 at home with Quinnipiac
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's lacrosse team kicks off the 2020 season in Smithfield as they host Quinnipiac on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. in Beirne Stadium.
THE PARTICULARS
Opponent: Quinnipiac
Location: Beirne Stadium
Date and Time: Wednesday, Feb. 12 – 3 p.m.
Watch Live: NEC Front Row
Live Stats: Presto Stats
Tickets: Season | Single-Game
THE SERIES
The two teams have yet to meet since 2014 when the Bulldogs tied the all-time series record at three apiece with a convincing 18-5 victory. In Smithfield, the series is split at one-all after the Bobcats downed the Bulldogs, 16-15, in 2013.
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
Quinnipiac opens its 2020 season in Smithfield after posting a 5-11 mark last year and 2-6 in MAAC play. The Bobcats graduated 10 from last season including their leading goal scorer Allison Kuhn who recorded 43 goals in her final season, and primary goalkeeper Sami Walters. Walters tallied all five of Quinnipiac's wins while in net with a .475 save percentage.
Despite its offensive loss in Kuhn, Quinnipiac returns four of its five leading goal scorers who all netted 10+ goals a year ago. Now senior Megan Szawlowski posted 33 goals and 17 assists in 2019 and ranked sixth among the MAAC averaging 0.75 free position goals per game. The Bobcats were among the top 10 in the country as a team with a .487 free position percentage.
Senior Allie Kelsey split time with Walters between the pipes last year and made 45 saves and posted a .338 save percentage. Kelsey is accompanied by freshman Kat Henselder who looks to split time in goal.
The Bobcats are led by Tanya Kotowicz in her fifth season as head coach.
BULLDOGS NOTES AND NOTABLES
- The Bulldogs have opened their season up at home every year since 2017 and hold a 2-1 home-opening record in that span. Bryant dropped to UMass last season as they kicked off 2019.
- Senior Caitlin Breglia (Long Beach, N.Y.) returns as Bryant's leading scorer with 31 goals after graduating Jess DeMeo '19. Despite DeMeo's 52 goals last season, Breglia was the team leader in points with 66 as she ranked 24th in the country with 2.06 assists per game. The Long Beach native also led the conference with 35 assists on the year in 2019.
- Bryant's All-Rookie team selection Giana Kapoosuzian (Merrick, N.Y.) returns for the Black and Gold after posting a .442 save percentage and averaging 10.75 saves per game.
- Sophomore Alexa Weber (South Windsor, Conn.) accompanied Kapoosuzian on the All-Rookie squad one year ago as she ranked third among the NEC freshmen with 13 goals.
- The Bulldogs are led by captains Katie Clark (New Fairfield, Conn.), Maggie Pressler (Smithfield, R.I.), and Chachie Smigliani (Hanover, Mass.) in their senior seasons in the Black and Gold.
- Wednesday marks the start of head coach Brianna Roche's second season at the helm.