LACROSSE HOSTS FAIRFIELD SATURDAY IN 2011 HOME OPENER (1 P.M.)

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's lacrosse team will face its toughest test of the young 2011 season Saturday afternoon, when the Bulldogs host Fairfield University at the Bryant Turf Complex for the 2011 home opener.

Both the Bulldogs and the Stags are 1-0 on the season after Fairfield took an 8-4 win over Lafayette on the road last Saturday. Bryant earned a 14-3 win over St. Joseph's in Philadelphia a week ago to kick off its 2011 campaign.

"We are very excited about our home opener against an outstanding Fairfield team," said Bryant head coach Mike Pressler. "Fairfield went on the road and beat a Patriot League contender in Lafayette last week, and they beat us a year ago in a defensive battle, then went on to win five or six in a row as I remember."

The teams played to a 5-3 Stag victory in Fairfield, Conn. early in the 2010 season, in a game that saw 23 combined saves, including nine from Bulldog netminder Jameson Love (Darien, Conn.). Max Weisenberg (Long Beach, N.Y.), Peter McMahon (Wilton, Conn.) and Travis Harrington (Vestal, N.Y.) were the only goal scorers for the visiting Black and Gold, while the Stags got goals from five different scorers, four of whom return to the team in 2011.

"This game, moving forward and into the future, is going to be an outstanding regional rivalry," said Pressler. "We have a lot of respect for Andy Copelan and his staff. All the fans who come out tomorrow to watch should expect an up-tempo and exciting game."

John Snellman and Sam Snow lead Fairfield after just a single game this season with three points each, the former off two goals and an assist and the latter off a trio of helpers. Doug Kuring also had two tallies against the Leopards while eight players recorded at least one point. Charlie Cipiano made 11 saves in goal to record the win as Fairfield went 7-of-16 as a team from the faceoff X.

"Overall, we think the stags are better than a year ago," said Pressler. "We just hope that the Bulldogs are better as well."

Saturday's 2011 home opener is slated to kick off from the Bryant Turf Complex at 1 p.m.