2019 Bryant schedule and captains announced
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University head men's lacrosse coach Mike Pressler has announced the Bulldogs' captains and schedule for the upcoming 2019 season.
The Captains
Seniors Will Hamernick (Darien, Conn.), Jack Horan (San Rafael, Calif.) and Kevin Quigley (Fairfax Station, Va.) will serve as the three captains for the Black and Gold in 2019. The senior tri-captains were selected in a team vote prior to the Headstrong tournament at the end of fall ball.
"These three young men are incredible students, well-respected on campus, and will be great ambassadors for our program moving forward both on and off the field," said Pressler. "All three will lead in different ways but most importantly the collective leadership of the 2019 Bryant Men's Lacrosse team is in great hands. All three of these individuals possess tremendous personal qualities which are paramount as we build and define our team culture. I am very excited and looking forward to working closely with Kevin, Jack and Will throughout the rest of our offseason training program."
Hamernick appeared in all 15 games for Bryant a year ago, collecting nine ground balls and five caused turnovers. The defensive midfielder contributed to a Bryant defense that allowed 8.33 goals per game in NEC play. Hamernick has played in 32 games in Black and Gold, including 13 as a freshman in 2016, and will graduate in May with a degree in Information Systems and Analytics.
Horan played in 13 games as a junior, stepping into a starting role for the Northeast Conference semifinal against Robert Morris. The defenseman recorded three ground balls, two caused turnovers and an assist in 2018. Horan has played in 15 games in his Bryant career and will graduate in May with a degree in Finance.
Quigley appeared in 14 games last season, tallying 12 goals, two assists, 14 ground balls and four caused turnovers. The midfielder had four multi-goal games as a junior, including the wins over Hartford, Mount St. Mary's and Hobart. Quigley has played in 41 games in his time at Bryant, with 18 goals to his name, and will graduate in May with a degree in Finance.
The Schedule
Bryant will play a 14-game regular season schedule following a pair of preseason scrimmages. The slate consists of eight home games at the recently renovated Beirne Stadium and six road contests with five of Bryant's eight non-conference matchups coming against New England opponents.
"It's greatly exciting to release the 2019 schedule and announce that all future home games will be played in our new and incredible venue, Beirne Stadium," said Pressler. "The NEC schedule will be the most competitive from top to bottom that we have seen since joining the conference over 10 years ago. Making the conference tournament will be an accomplishment for any of our seven members. Our eight-game non-league slate will also be a great challenge as we take on schools from the Ivy League, Big East, Patriot League, MAAC, America East and CAA. With the new shot clock rule and the ability to practice and play on the new turf and lights at Beirne Stadium, the excitement is at an all-time high as we continue to prepare for preseason minicamp in January."
Bryant will open the regular season with a contest at Bucknell (Feb. 9), as the Bulldogs and Bison meet for the seventh consecutive year. Bucknell held off Bryant last season 14-12 in a February meeting in Smithfield. Bucknell was 11-4 a year ago and fell to Boston University in the Patriot League quarterfinals.
The Bulldogs' next two will be at home, with the home opener coming against in-state foe Providence (Feb. 16.) The Friars had the upper hand in last year's meeting with a 13-8 decision in the state capital. Providence posted a 5-10 record in 2018.
Bryant faces Dartmouth for the first time since 2010 when the Big Green visits Smithfield Feb. 23. Dartmouth went 2-11 in 2018 with a win over NEC member Wagner.
A midweek matchup with Boston University (Feb. 26) closes out the first month of the season. The Terriers downed the Bulldogs 8-7 last year in overtime in Smithfield. BU was 8-9 in 2018 with an appearance in the Patriot League semifinals.
March begins with Manhattan visiting Bryant for the second straight season (March 2.) The Bulldogs opened the 2018 season with a 15-7 victory over the Jaspers in Smithfield. Manhattan posted a 4-10 mark last season.
Bryant renews acquaintances with Stony Brook March 9 on Long Island for the teams' first meeting since 2013. The Bulldogs outlasted the Seawolves 10-9 in the last matchup at LaValle Stadium six seasons ago. Stony Brook was 7-8 overall in 2018 but 5-1 in the America East, falling in the AE semifinals.
Fairfield will visit Bryant for a Tuesday clash March 12 in Smithfield. The teams will square off for the first time since a nationally-ranked Stags squad defeated the Bulldogs 8-6 in 2013. Fairfield was 4-11 in 2018.
NEC play opens with a March 16 contest at Mount St. Mary's. The Bryant offense unloaded for 20 goals in last year's conference opener against the Mountaineers, including six from Marc O'Rourke (Hingham, Mass.).
Bryant hosts Saint Joseph's March 23 in Smithfield for the first of three regular season home NEC games. The Bulldogs have won 11 straight conference home games dating back to 2015. The Hawks handed the Bulldogs a 14-7 defeat in Philadelphia last season.
March wraps up with a trip to Wagner March 30 in the third weekend of NEC play. Kevin Beimfohr (Mountain Lakes, N.J.) turned away 11 of 14 Wagner shots in an 8-3 victory last season.
Sacred Heart visits Bryant April 6 after a memorable 2018 meeting. The Pioneers led 7-5 with 3:34 to go in the first half, but the Bulldogs would go on to score the final 11 goals of the contest on their way to a 2-0 start in the NEC.
A trip to Hobart is in store for an April 13 contest in Geneva. The Bulldogs defeated the Statesmen 13-8 on Bryant's Senior Day a year ago with multi-goal games from five different Bulldogs – all of whom return in 2019.
Defending NEC champion Robert Morris (April 20) will be the opponent for this year's Senior Day in Smithfield. The Colonials tripped up the Bulldogs in the NEC semifinals a year ago, settling the score for Bryant's 10-7 win over a ranked Robert Morris team in Moon Township last March. The Colonials would go on to win the NCAA play-in game before falling to Maryland in the first round.
Bryant aims to hoist the Ocean State Cup when the Bulldogs close the regular season at home against Brown April 24. The Bulldogs defeated the Bears 17-9 on College Hill in a televised game last season with five goals each from seniors Tom Kennedy and Cam Ziegler.
The NEC tournament will be played May 2 and 4 at the site of the regular season champion, with the conference's automatic qualifier on the line.
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