Caracciolo ties program record with 20 saves as Bryant downs LIU

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Luke Caracciolo tied a program record with 20 saves to highlight an incredible defensive performance as the Bryant University men's lacrosse team improved to 3-0 in the Northeast Conference with an 8-4 victory over LIU on Saturday afternoon.

Bryant has now started each of the last two seasons 3-0 in the NEC. The Bulldogs have now allowed just four goals in two of their last three games.

Caracciolo was the man of the hour on Saturday, turning away 20 shots to tie the program record held by Jameson Love (2/13/10) and Matt Lovejoy (3/27/04). The victory evened his career record at 19-19. Drew Lucas was one of his best friends on Saturday, posting seven ground balls and four caused turnovers. LIU came into Saturday averaging 10.5 goals per game.

Logan McGovern paced the offense with five points on two goals and three assists. He also added two ground balls. Bennett Abladian recorded a hat trick for the third-straight game and Marc O'Rourke posted three points (2g, 1a)     

Game Information
Bryant 8, LIU 4
Records: Bryant 5-4, 3-0 NEC, LIU 5-5, 2-1 NEC
Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I.)

Coach Pressler's Comments
Today versus LIU was a defensive battle for both teams from the start. Very impressed on how our team responded defensively. No. 44 was outstanding in the goal for 60 minutes today. Total contrast from a year ago when it was a high-teen shootout. Proud of our team to find a way to win in another way against a top team in our conference.

Key Moment

• Moments after LIU cut Bryant's lead to one, Abladian took a feed from McGovern and had his pass deflect in off an LIU defender. The goal came just 25 seconds after the LIU goal and started a string of three-straight Bryant goals to end the quarter.          

How it Happened

• Offense took a back seat in the first half as Bryant led 4-1 after the first 30 minutes. Blake Behlen opened the scoring for LIU before McGovern potted a pair to make it 2-1 after one.
• Aidan Goltz found five-hole to make it 3-1 and O'Rourke added a man-up goal with 47 seconds left to make it 4-1.
• LIU recorded the first two goals of the third quarter, with Will Snelders' goal making it 4-3 with 4:53 left in the quarter.
• Bryant won the ensuing battle on the faceoff and Nathan Laliberte was able to find McGovern. McGovern quickly shoveled it to Abladian who fired a pass across the goal mouth. The ball hit the stick of the LIU defender and went in.
• Abladian would then score back-to-back goals within 18 seconds of each to complete his hat trick.
• O'Rourke would close the scoring with his second with 1:56 left.        

Stats

• Bryant outshot LIU, 39-35.
• The Bulldogs won the ground ball game, 40-20.
• Bryant won 10-of-16 faceoffs.
• Caracciolo posted 20 saves.
• McGovern notched five points on two goals and three assists.
• Abladian recorded a hat trick, while O'Rourke had two goals and an assist.
• Lucas had seven ground balls and caused four turnovers.      

Game Notes

• Bryant has won each of the two meetings with LIU at the DI level.
• Caracciolo tied the program record with his 20 saves on Saturday.
• Caracciolo improved to 19-19 in his career between the pipes.
• O'Rourke now has 137 goals and 194 career points. He's 6 points shy of becoming only second player in DI program history with 200+ career points.
• O'Rourke has recorded a goal in 21-straight games and has scored a point in 45-straight games.
• Abladian recorded his sixth hat trick of the year and has 25 goals on the season.
• Lucas set career-highs in ground balls and caused turnovers.

Up Next
Bryant hits the road next Saturday to face Saint Joseph's in Philadelphia. Faceoff is set for 12:00 p.m.