Photo by: DSPics.com
Photo by: DSPics.com
Posted: Feb 26, 2021

Bryant hosts Holy Cross in season opener

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The long-awaited 2021 season has finally arrived. The Bryant University women's lacrosse team is set to host Holy Cross this Saturday, Feb. 27 at 4 p.m. in Smithfield for the 2021 season opener. 

*The State of Rhode Island determined that spectators will not be allowed at any outdoor collegiate sporting events until further notice..*

THE PARTICULARS
Opponent: Holy Cross
Location: Beirne Stadium
Date and Time: Saturday, Feb. 27 – 4 p.m.
Watch Live: NEC Front Row
Live Stats: Presto Stats

THE SERIES

Bryant last met with Holy Cross in 2016 when Bryant edged out the Crusaders by a small 8-7 margin. The Bulldogs beat out Holy Cross in the last four meetings, but the Crusaders were victorious in the first three. The winning streak helps Bryant hold the all-time series record, 4-3.

SCOUTING THE CRUSADERS

  • The Crusaders fit eight games into the shortened 2020 season and posted a 5-3 record. They posted wins over Fairfield, UMass Lowell, Central Connecticut, Hartford, and Merrimack, and fell to Brown, Siena, and Monmouth.
  • Holy Cross shows an experienced group this year returning nine of its 12 starters from a year ago, including seven of the team's top nine scorers.
  • Junior Jolie Creo is the top returning scorer from last season and was named to the Preseason All-Patriot League team. In eight games, Creo posted 33 points on 27 goals and six assists. Her 27 goals ranked her fourth in the Patriot League and 16th nationally.
  • The Crusaders pride themselves in their defense and look to have one of the Patriot League's top defensive units this season. Last season they held their opponents to just 8.63 goals per game which ranked them second in the league.
  • Preseason All-Patriot League junior Grace Fink returns between the pipes for the Crusaders. Fink posted a 5-3 record last season and recorded 78 saves, a 9.29 goals against average, and a .553 save percentage. She ranked first in the league and third nationally in save percentage in 2020.

BULLDOGS NOTES AND NOTABLES

  • The Bulldogs are led by captains Gabriella Henry, Emily Diaz, and Megan McCarthy.
  • Bryant returns over 75% of its scoring from a year ago including junior Alexa Weber who netted 20 in just six games in 2020. Weber also broke Bryant's all-time single-game scoring record at UMass Lowell last year with nine.
  • Junior Cassidy Burns returns as Bryant's leader in assists last season. Burns dished out seven last season and added five goals.
  • Senior Jamie Fischer is back as one of Bryant's top defenders after causing 11 turnovers in 2020. She also led the returning Bulldogs in ground balls with 12 last season.
  • Both Devon Bolen and McCarthy will help in Bryant's dominance in the draw circle. McCarthy led the team last year with 30 draw controls followed by Bolen with 27. The Bulldogs won 77 total draws a year ago compared to 60 that Bryant's opponents picked up.
  • Senior Gigi Kapoosuzian will return as Bryant's primary goalkeeper. She played all 360 minutes between the pipes last season and accumulated 48 saves (.457 save percentage) and a 9.50 goals against average.