Bryant, Providence begin battle for Ocean State Cup
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Bryant University men's lacrosse team plays its first of two Ocean State Cup games when the Bulldogs travel to the capital city to face Providence Saturday afternoon.
The Particulars
Opponent: Providence
Location: Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium (Providence, R.I.)
Date and Time: Saturday, Feb. 15 – 1 p.m.
Watch: Friars.com (Mike Mancuso)
Live Stats: Friars.com
Game Notes: Bryant
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #GoBryant | #NECMLax
SCOUTING THE FRIARS
Providence is 2-0 on the year with victories over Boston University and Holy Cross. The Friars limited the Terriers to five goals and the Crusaders to four in the wins.
Matt Grillo leads the Friars in goals (8) and points (9). Providence's 2-0 start has been earned despite a 10-for-34 showing through two games at the face-off X. Toby Burgdorf has allowed a 4.50 goals-against average with 11.0 saves per game.
THE SERIES
Bryant and Providence are meeting for the 11th consecutive season, as the teams began their series in the Bulldogs' second Division I campaign in 2010. The Bulldogs hold a 7-3 advantage in the series, including a 4-1 mark on the Providence campus.
The Bulldogs christened Beirne Stadium with an 11-8 win over the Friars last February. Marc O'Rourke (Hingham, Mass.) and Trevor Weingarten (Allendale, N.J.) scored three times each in the victory, while Logan McGovern (Darien, Conn.) added two goals and two assists.
LAST TIME OUT: BUCKNELL 11, BRYANT 9
Redshirt-senior Jake Buonaiuto (Miller Place, N.Y.) collected four goals and an assist in Sunday's opener, but a second-half comeback from Bucknell spoiled a 5-1 start to the game for the Black & Gold.
BUONAIUTO PROVIDES GOOD HELP IN THE OPENER
Buonaiuto recorded a career day offensively in Sunday's opener vs. Bucknell. The attackman from Long Island collected four goals and an assist against the Bison for a career-best five points. Buonaiuto eclipsed his goal total from all of 2019 in the first game of 2020.
MAKING HIS MARC
O'Rourke has recorded 91 points over his last 25 games with at least one point in every game - a streak that ranks 25th nationally. O'Rourke's 65 goals through his first two seasons are the second most in program history.
SAVE THAT BALL
Sophomore CJ Sweitzer (Hatfield, Pa.) and freshman Kevin Groeninger (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) scored their first career goals in the Sunday opener against Bucknell. The duo was joined by freshman Matt Prochaska (Danville, Calif.) in making their collegiate debuts in the contest.
SOPHOMORE STONE WALL
Sophomore Luke Caracciolo (Centreville, Va.) tallied 15 saves in Sunday's contest and improved his career save percentage to .570. Caracciolo has made 13 or more saves in eight of his first 11 collegiate starts.
WE WANT THE CUP
Saturday's game is the first contest of the Ocean State Cup, a round-robin competition between Rhode Island's three Division I men's lacrosse programs. Bryant will face Brown April 21 and Providence will play Brown Feb. 29.
The Bulldogs have won the Ocean State Cup three times, most recently in 2016.
UP NEXT: BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Bryant plays its annual February midweek contest against Boston University when the Terriers visit Beirne Stadium Tuesday at 3 p.m.
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