Bryant hosts PC in Ocean State Cup clash, 2017 home opener Saturday at 1 p.m.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's lacrosse team will start its push for the first of three titles this season, hosting intrastate rival Providence College at the Bryant Track & Turf Complex in Saturday's home opener and the first round of the 2017 Ocean State Cup.

The defending Ocean State Cup Champion Bulldogs (1-1) will look to rebound after a 9-8 heartbreaker at the hands of Bucknell on the road last Saturday to get a win in front of the home crowd in their first opportunity.

"We've been on the road the last two weeks, and we couldn't be more excited for our home opener against our crosstown rival as we start the race for the Ocean State Cup," said Bryant head coach Mike Pressler. "There is a lot on the line here early in February."

A surging Providence College (1-1) program will be looking to shake off the struggles of the past against the Bulldogs in this year's go-around, as the Friars have beaten Bryant only once since the Black and Gold joined the Division I ranks. That victory came in 2013, when PC outscored the Bulldogs, 6-1, in the final 21:29 for a come-from-behind 10-9 victory.

No current Bulldogs have suffered a loss to the Friars, but that could change this year if the Black and Gold aren't ready to tackle a program quickly becoming noticed within the state and the region.

"PC is led by a terrific, dynamic young head coach in Chris Gabrielli," said Pressler. "I think the world of Chris as a coach and as a quality young man, and he is making great strides with PC Lacrosse."

In two games this season, the Friars have been anchored by a stingy defense and strong play from the faceoff X. Between the pipes, Boyce Tate has been stellar, limiting opponents to just six goals per game in an 8-7 overtime loss to a Boston University team receiving votes in the national polls and a 10-4 win over regional foe Holy Cross. Tate has 21 saves on the young season and boasts a .636 save percentage and 5.80 goals against average.

At the X, Alex George is 25-of-34 (.735) with a team-leading 15 ground balls, numbers that are good for third and 11th nationally.

"If you look at those two specialty positions [faceoff and goalie] right now, they are at an all-time high," said Pressler.

George's efficiency on the restart is key to springing a Friar offense led by sophomore Brendan Kearns (7 goals, 4 assists). Five other players have contributed to PC's 17 goals, including three apiece from sophomore Nick Hatzipetrakos (7 points) and freshman Ryan Nawrocki. Only two of PC's six scorers are upperclassmen.

"You look at PC and see tremendous contrast," said Pressler. "They are one of the most veteran, one of the best defensive groups we will see all year. And as veteran as they are on defense, they are almost brand new on offense."

Saturday's game will be streamed live on NECFrontRow.com.

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
The Bulldogs may be 3-0 against the Friars over the last three years, but none of those games have been runaways. Bryant's trio of wins have come by a combined five goals. In fact, five of the seven DI meetings between the sides have been decided by two goals or less, including three one-goal margins.

"We've been fortunate to get the last few," said Pressler. "But last year, we were down, 6-1, in the second and made a miraculous recovery to make it a one-, two-goal game at the end. We anticipate the same kind of battle tomorrow."

WE WANT THE CUP?
An Ocean State Cup title hasn't always been good luck for the Bulldogs. Bryant has won the Cup three times – 2011, 2012 and 2016 – but has only gone on to also win the Northeast Conference Championship once, in 2012.

CURRENT BULLDOGS vs. PROVIDENCE
No current Bulldog has more than three goals against the Friars, with junior attack Cam Ziegler (Carlsbad, Calif.) and senior captain Tucker James (Essex Fells, N.J.) leading the way (3 each).

SCORING UPDATE
Nine Bulldogs have registered at least one goal for the Black and Gold through two games this season, led by five from James and Ziegler. The shot selection and accuracy of the latter has been on point in the opening two contests, as all eight of Ziegler's shots have been on the cage. Senior middie Ryan Sharpe (Poway, Calif.) has been equally as accurate with all five of his shots on target (2 goals).