2019 Season Preview: Offense
This is the first of a two-part series previewing the 2019 Bryant University men's lacrosse team. Friday, BryantBulldogs.com will preview the Bulldog defense.
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's lacrosse team returns five of its top seven goal scorers in 2019, a group primarily consisting of veteran midfielders and bolstered by one of the nation's top freshman attackmen of a year ago.
That collection of offensive talent, combined with returners in expanded roles and freshmen looking to make an immediate impact, looks to lead the charge for Bryant as the Bulldogs aim for their sixth NEC title in the last eight seasons.
The attackmen are led by sophomore Marc O'Rourke (Hingham, Mass.), who ranked sixth among freshmen nationally in goals a year ago with 33 and seventh with 48 points. O'Rourke was named NEC Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-NEC selection.
Two other returners look to make an impact on attack, with sophomore Pat Brosnan (South San Francisco, Calif.) and senior Ryan Cerino (Greer, S.C.) looking to capitalize on increased opportunities in 2019. Brosnan played in seven games last season, the majority of which came against NEC competition.
The group is joined by a pair of impact freshmen in Logan McGovern (Darien, Conn.) and Mason Balch (Westfield, Mass.), who will see time from the start in February.
Bryant returns two standout midfielders in senior captain Kevin Quigley (Fairfax Station, Va.) and junior Trevor Weingarten (Allendale, N.J.). Quigley scored 12 goals and collected 14 ground balls in 2018, while Weingarten added 17 goals, including a stretch of scoring in 13 straight games from February to April.
"Kevin and Trevor are downhill dodgers that are excellent defenders," said head coach Mike Pressler.
Redshirt-junior Jake Buonaiuto (Miller Place, N.Y.), who started all 15 games on attack a year ago, will move back to the midfield, adding to the veteran presence. Buonaiuto scored 21 goals and added nine assists in 2018.
The trio is joined by a quintet of returners to the program who will look to grow their roles in 2019.
Sophomore Austin Kent (Franklin, Mass.) saw the most time of the group in 2018, playing in 13 games with five starts and scoring five goals, while sophomore Sam Goforth (Chester Springs, Pa.) appeared in four games last season. Redshirt-sophomore Andre Gomez (Melville, N.Y.), junior Jake Jones (Flemington, N.J.) and redshirt-freshman Nick Beeson (Poway, Calif.) will also look to contribute in expanded opportunities this spring.
Sunday will mark the first time since 2011 that the opening face-off of the season has been taken by someone not named Massa. Brothers Kevin (2012-15) and Kenny (2015-18) Massa rank first and third in career face-off wins for Bryant and both went on to the MLL following All-American careers in Black & Gold.
The Bulldogs have the benefit of a duo of returning face-off specialists in 2019 with experience in the program who will battle for time at the X. Junior James Stoler (Penfield, N.Y.) has appeared in four games for Bryant on face-offs and will share face-off duties with redshirt-freshman Jack Aigner (Brighton, Mich.).
Bryant begins its 2019 season, its 20th as an NCAA program and 11th in Division I, Sunday at Bucknell. The 1 p.m. game in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, can be seen on Patriot League Network.
Season tickets for the 2019 campaign at Beirne Stadium are available by clicking HERE.
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