Bryant opens season with 15-14 win over Providence

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Kevin Groeninger recorded five points, while brothers Timmy and Johnny Hackett each produced four points to lead the Bryant University men's lacrosse team to a 15-14 victory over in-state rival Providence College on Saturday afternoon at Beirne Stadium.

With the win, the Bulldogs gave head coach Brad Ross his first-career coaching victory in his debut on the sidelines. Bryant has now won three-straight against the Friars and is 10-4 in 14 Division I meetings.

Groeninger had a breakout performance at attack, recording a pair of goals and three assists for a five-point afternoon. Playing together for the first time at the collegiate level, the Hackett brothers each recorded a hat trick and each finished with four points. Jack Lonsinger added his first-career hat trick, while Aidan Goltz potted a pair of goals.

Bryant dominated the X, winning 23-of-33 faceoffs. Jacob Alexander won 14-of-20, while Nathan Laliberte won 9-of-13. Teagan Alexander made nine saves in goal.

Game Information
Bryant 15, Providence 14
Records: Bryant 1-0, Providence 1-1
Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I.)

Key Moment

• Bryant trailed 5-4 with under four minutes to play in the first half but scored three times in the final 3:40 to take a 7-5 lead to the break. The final two goals came 10 seconds apart at 32 and 22 seconds.             

How it Happened

• Johnny Hackett opened the scoring with his first-career goal on an assist from Connor McMahon. 
• Ryan Dobrzynski made a triumphant return to the field after missing all of 2022, making it 2-0 less than five minutes in.
• PC was able to tie the game but the Hackett brothers scored just over a minute apart to make it 4-2.
• The Friars stormed back, scoring the first three goals of the second quarter to take a 5-4 lead.
• Johnny Hackett tied the game off a feed from Groeninger, completing the hat trick.
• Timmy Hackett then scored on the man-up with 32 seconds left. Alexander then won the ensuing faceoff and Lonsinger finished a transition feed from Will Ronan to make it 7-5.
• After the Friars made it 7-6 in the third quarter, Lonsinger, Cole Braun and Aidan Goltz scored in succession to give Bryant a 10-6 lead. Goltz's goal was a rip from the top that was placed underneath the cross bar.
• Lonsinger and Goltz would push the lead to 12-7 before a pair of goals from Groeninger gave Bryant a 14-9 lead after three quarters.
• The Friars got back in the game in the fourth, holding Bryant to one goal in the final 15. Timmy Hackett's third goal of the game made it 15-11 with 7:23 left.
• PC would score twice in 16 seconds to make it 15-13 and then scored with 13 seconds left to make it a one-goal game.
• Jacob Alexander won the key faceoff and was able to run out the clock. 

Stats

• Bryant outshot PC, 52-31.
• The Bulldogs won 23-of-33 faceoffs and were 21-of-22 on clears.
• Bryant was 2-of-4 on the man-up.
• Groeninger finished with five points (2g, 3a).
• Timmy Hackett and Johnny Hackett each finished with four points (3g, 1a).
• Goltz potted a pair of goals.
• McMahon finished with a pair of assists. 
• Braun added a goal and an assist.      
• Connor Whalen and Drew Lucas each had four grounds balls and a caused turnover.

Game Notes

• Bryant is now 10-4 against PC at the DI level.
• The Bulldogs have won each of the last three games in the series.
• Saturday marked the first head coaching victory over Brad Ross.
• Johnny Hackett and Lonsinger each recorded the first hat tricks of their careers.
• Groeninger's five points are a career high.
• Timmy Hackett recorded his first-career hat trick and recorded a career-high four points.
• Hackett has a seven-game point streak.
• Teagan Alexander recorded his first collegiate win in goal.

Up Next
Bryant welcomes No. 14 Boston University to Beirne Stadium next Saturday, Feb. 18. Faceoff is set for 12:00 p.m.