Bulldogs, Bison face off in Lewisburg Saturday at 1 p.m.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – With a season-opening victory under its belt, the Bryant University men's lacrosse team remains on the road for an early test, taking on Patriot League foe Bucknell Saturday at 1 p.m. in Lewisburg, Pa.

The Bison (1-0) welcome Bryant (1-0) to Christy-Mathewson Memorial Stadium for their 2017 home opener one week after a comeback 14-13 victory over Delaware on the road. Bucknell outscored the Blue Hens, 8-4, in the second half backed by three goals apiece by Reed Malas and Sean O'Brien, the latter of which would finish the day with an impressive six tallies. The pair combined for 27 of the team's 54 total shots and nine of the team's 14 goals.

"Coming back in the second half on the road is very, very impressive," said Bryant head coach Mike Pressler. "This is a typical Bucknell team – very well coached and extremely balanced at each position. They will be a very formidable foe for us early in the new season."

Bucknell returns its top two point scorers from a season ago in Will Sands and Tommy O'Connor, as well as goalie Christian Klipstein (8 saves vs. Delaware) and starting faceoff specialist Jarett Witzal (17-of-28). Witzal went 10-for-15 last season against the Bulldogs in an 11-10 Bison victory.

Bryant enters Christy-Mathewson Stadium looking for its first road win over Bucknell in three tries, as Saturday's hosts hold a 3-1 series edge despite each outing being decided by three goals or fewer (2 or fewer in Bryant losses).

"This is our fifth go-around, and we expect a very similar type of game as we've played in the past – a one or two-goal game either way that won't be decided until the end," said Pressler.

The Black and Gold saw their explosive offense go to work in the opener, racking up more goals in the 17-10 victory over Manhattan College than it had in all but one contest during the 2016 campaign.

"We have to continue to do what we do," said Pressler. "We have to push the pace, share the ball, move it quickly in and out of our sticks. They are a very quick-sliding type of team, and if you think you can dodge one, two, three guys… it's not happening. We need to play smart on offense and shoot very well."

Saturday's contest faces off at 1 p.m. and can be seen live at PatriotLeague.tv.

Winner, Winner
Despite the small sample size – just four other goalies have started a game for the Bulldogs in the program's Division I era – junior netminder James Werner (New Rochelle, N.Y.) is only the second Bryant goalie at the DI level to win his first-career start. Werner earned the W in last week's 17-10 victory over Manhattan College, making nine saves and allowing seven scores. The other? Niko Dutra ('14), who won his only career appearance with a 15-7 Senior Day victory over Wagner on April 26, 2014.

All Tuck, No Luck
Senior captain Tucker James (Essex Fells, N.J.) led the Bulldogs with six points (3g, 3a) in the 2017 opener, achieving a major career milestone in the process. James scored the 100th goal of his career with 59 seconds left in the second quarter, an unassisted tally that put the Black and Gold up, 8-3. James has scored 30 or more goals and 50 or more points in each of his first three seasons as a Bulldog.

It Takes Two
The Bulldogs will be looking to start the season with back-to-back wins for the first time since 2011 when they face off against Bucknell on Saturday. The 2011 campaign was also the first time Bryant won on the road to kick off the year, taking a 14-3 victory over Saint Joseph's in Philadelphia before edging Fairfield at home, 6-5