Bryant powers past Quinnipiac, 19-12, on Saturday

HAMDEN, Conn. – Kevin Groeninger recorded a career-high seven points and Johnny Hackett scored six times as the Bryant University men's lacrosse team raced past Quinnipiac, 19-12, on a frigid afternoon at the Quinnipiac Lacrosse and Soccer Complex.

The Bulldogs are now 2-1 on the season and have scored 15+ goals in all three of their games. Saturday's matchup also pitted the Bulldogs against a pair of alums in Mason Poli (head coach) and Alex Zomerfeld (assistant coach).

Groeninger continued his strong start to the year with four goals and three assists for a career-high seven points, while Johnny Hackett notched his second hat trick of the year, finishing with six. Aidan Goltz added four goals.

Bryant turned the ball over just 11 times on Saturday and finished 20-of-21 in clear attempts.  

Game Information
Bryant 19, Quinnipiac 12
Records: Bryant 2-1, Quinnipiac 2-1
Location: Quinnipiac Lacrosse and Soccer Complex (Hamden, Conn.)

Key Moment

• Groeninger and Hackett combined to score each of Bryant's first four goals to make it 4-1 less than 10 minutes in.             

How it Happened

• Groeninger opened the scoring less than a minute in to give the Bulldogs the early lead. Hackett followed two minutes later to make it 2-0.
• After Quinnipiac got on the board, Groeinger and Hackett scored roughly two minutes apart again to make it 4-1.
• Groeninger completed a first-quarter hat trick to make it 5-2 and Goltz's first helped Bryant take a 6-3 lead after one.
• Hackett and Goltz then scored six seconds apart to start the second quarter to give Bryant an 8-3 lead.
• The Bobcats would get to within 8-5 but goals from Connor McMahon, Jack Lonsinger and Timmy Hackett gave Bryant an 11-6 edge at the break.
• A pair of goals from Johnny Hackett and a third for Goltz sent Bryant to third with a 14-8 lead.
• Goals from Hackett, Mason Drouin, Goltz and Groeninger pushed the lead to 18-11. 
• Luke Mead capped Bryant's scoring with his first collegiate goal. 

Stats

• Bryant outshout Quinnipiac, 50-43.
• Quinnipiac held a slight 17-16 edge in faceoff wins.
• The Bulldogs were 20-of-21 on clears and picked up 39 ground balls.
• Bryant turned the ball over 11 times, while QU coughed it up 22 times.
• Groeninger finished the afternoon with seven points (4g, 3a).
• Johnny Hackett notched six goals.
• Goltz finished with four goals.
• Lonsinger and Timmy Hackett each had a goal and an assist.
• Zak Lanoue caused three turnovers. 
• Drew Lucas scooped up a career-high nine ground balls.
• Teagan Alexander made 14 saves to earn the win.

Game Notes

• Bryant is now 4-2 all-time against Quinnipiac.
• The Bulldogs have scored 15+ goals in each of their first three games and are averaging 16.3 per game.
• Groeninger now has 16 points (7g, 9a) in the first three games. His seven points on Saturday were a career high.
• Groeninger also set a career high with four goals. 
• Hackett extended his point streak to nine games dating back to last season.
• Johnny Hackett recorded his second hat trick of the year. He has nine goals in three games.
• Goltz recorded his sixth career hat trick.
• Lucas' nine ground balls are a new career high.

Up Next
Bryant returns home to next Saturday, March 4, to host Manhattan. Faceoff is set for 1:00 p.m.