Sacred Heart visits Smithfield for midweek showdown

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's lacrosse team looks to even its NEC record at 3-3 as they welcome Sacred Heart to Beirne Stadium for a midweek matchup this Wednesday, April 7. The game is set for a 3 p.m. start time and can be viewed on NEC Front Row. 

THE PARTICULARS
Opponent: Sacred Heart
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 7 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I.)
Watch Live: NEC Front Row
Live Stats: Presto Stats

THE SERIES

• Bryant is 10-3 all-time against Sacred Heart after topping the Pioneers, 20-8, in 2019.
• The Bulldogs won the last nine meetings against Sacred Heart dating back to 2013.

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS

• The Pioneers post a 2-6 overall record and are 2-6 against the NEC. Their two wins this season were over Central Connecticut, 16-4, and Merrimack, 15-14.
• Sacred Heart's top team stats come from the defensive side of the field. The Pioneers rank third in the NEC in caused turnovers per game (8.50) and ground balls per game (18.50).
• Fifth-year Elizabeth Small leads SHU with 14 caused turnovers on the year and ranks fourth in the NEC averaging 2.00 a game.
• Sophomore Bella Beaton is the primary goalkeeper for the Pioneers and is second in the NEC with 9.50 saves per game. This season Beaton posts a 44.4 save percentage and a 12.61 goals against average.
• Junior Lydia Welau leads Sacred Heart on the offensive end with 19 goals on the year. She also has four assists this season which helped her pace the squad with 23 points. Werlau averages 2.71 games a game and is second in the conference with 4.86 shots on goal per game.

BULLDOGS NOTES AND NOTABLES

• Bryant enters Wednesday's matchup after falling to LIU, 11-8. Alexa Weber led on the offensive end with three goals and one assist.
• Senior Caitlin Bolen netted two goals against the Sharks and leads Bryant with 11 goals so far on the season. She ranks third in the NEC with 2.75 goals per game.
• The Bulldogs not only lead the NEC but rank second nationally in free position percentage (.632). At LIU, Bryant netted a perfect three-for-three on free position opportunities thanks to Skylar Simmonds, Emma Lindquist, and Bolen.
• Junior Emily Diaz is Bryant's leader in points with 19 after pouring in eight assists at Merrimack. Diaz is third in the conference and 23^rd nationally averaging 2.20 assists per game. She also ranks third in NEC with 3.80 points per game.