Bryant begins 2019 campaign Sunday at Bucknell
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bryant University men's lacrosse team opens its 20th NCAA season and 11th in Division I when the Bulldogs travel to Pennsylvania for a Sunday meeting with Bucknell.
The Particulars
Opponent: Bucknell
Location: Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Date and Time: Sunday, Feb. 10 – 1 p.m.
Watch: Patriot League Network
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
Game Notes: Bryant
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #12Seven4 | #NECMBB
SCOUTING THE BISON
Bucknell opened the year last weekend with an 11-6 defeat at the hands of No. 3 Maryland. Reed Malas scored two goals for Bucknell, which trailed 4-3 late in the second quarter before the Terrapins pulled away.
The Bison went 11-4 a year ago and cracked the top 10 nationally before being upended by Boston University in the Patriot League quarterfinals.
THE SERIES
Bucknell holds a 5-1 advantage in the all-time series and has won the last four meetings. Five of the six matchups have been decided by two goals or less.
The Bison took a 14-12 decision in Smithfield on the same date last season. Zach Coffey (West Newbury, Mass.), Matt Heldberg (Kings Park, N.Y.), Marc O'Rourke (Hingham, Mass.), Kevin Quigley (Fairfax Station, Va.) and Tom Kennedy posted multi-goal efforts for the Bulldogs in the defeat.
RETURN OF ATTACK
Bryant returns five of its top seven goal scorers from a year ago, led by sophomore Marc O'Rourke, who led the Bulldogs with 33 goals as a freshman. Redshirt-junior Jake Buonaiuto (Miller Place, N.Y.) added 21 goals last season, while All-NEC midfielder Trevor Weingarten (Allendale, N.J.) added 17 as a sophomore last year.
BULLDOGS AMONG NEW ENGLAND'S BEST
Bryant has won 105 games since joining Division I in 2009 - the second-highest total of the 15 Division I lacrosse programs in the six New England states behind Yale's 108. The Bulldogs' .603 winning percentage over those 10 seasons ranks third in New England after Yale (.697) and Brown (.604).
ALL-CONFERENCE TRIO RETURNS
Bryant welcomes back three All-NEC honorees from a year ago. Marc O'Rourke was named NEC Rookie of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection, while Zach Coffey and Trevor Weingarten earned second-team nods.
MAKING A MARC FROM THE START
Sophomore Marc O'Rourke ranked among the top freshmen in the nation offensively in 2018. O'Rourke's 33 goals ranked sixth among Division I freshman while his 48 points placed seventh.
VETERAN MIDFIELD RETURNS
The Bulldogs welcome back six midfielders who played in 13 or more games last year: Will Hamernick (Darien, Conn.), Matt Heldberg, Emmet Kemble (Clifton, Va.), Kevin Quigley, Trevor Weingarten and Austin Kent (Franklin, Mass.). LSMs Zach Coffey and Jake Fiske (Poway, Calif.) also played in all 15 games a year ago, as did Jake Buonaiuto, who will factor into the midfield this year after starting all 15 games on attack.
NEXT UP: PROVIDENCE
Bryant opens the home portion of its 2019 schedule Saturday, Feb. 16, when the Bulldogs host Providence at Beirne Stadium in the first of two Ocean State Cup games.
Season tickets for the 2019 campaign at Beirne Stadium are available by clicking HERE.
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