Bryant downs UMBC, 17-13, in America East opener

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Johnny Hackett scored seven times and three other Bulldogs posted multi-goal games as the Bryant University men's lacrosse team defeated UMBC, 17-13, in the America East opener for both teams on Saturday at Beirne Stadium.

Bryant improves to 5-2 overall and 1-0 in league play with the victory. The Black and Gold are now 3-1 at home this season. Entering Saturday, UMBC was top five nationally in goals allowed per game.

Hackett paced the offense on Saturday, potting seven goals and adding an assist for a career-high eight points. Kevin Groeninger added five points (3g, 2a), Jack Lonsinger notched a hat trick and Connor McMahon had two goals and an assist.  

Game Information
Bryant 15, UMBC 12
Records: Bryant 5-2, 1-0, UMBC 5-2, 0-1
Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I.)

Key Moment

• Bryant scored four times in a three-minute span in the second quarter to build a 9-3 lead.         

How it Happened

• UMBC opened the scoring but back-to-back goals from Lonsinger and McMahon gave Bryant a 2-1 lead.
• After the Retrievers tied it, Lonsinger buried a feed from Johnny Hackett on the doorstep.
• Johnny Hackett then used his speed to pot consecutive goals to make it 5-2 with 7:25 left in the first half.
• The Bulldogs then scored four times in a three-minute span to expand the lead. Lonsinger and Hackett opened the stretch before McMahon finished off his second. Aidan Goltz closed the run with a rocket to the top corner to make it 9-3.
• Back-to-back goals from Hackett and Groeninger would push Bryant's lead to 13-6 with 4:30 left in the third quarter.
• UMBC would get both back but Bryant answered again. Timmy Hackett let go a worm burner and Nathan Laliberte turned a faceoff win into a goal from Groeninger to make it 15-8.
• A pair of Bryant penalties, however, opened the door for UMBC. The Retrievers would score four times on the EMO, pulling within three with 8:16 remaining.
• Teagan Alexander then made a great defensive play, leaving his crease to intercept a pass and end the UMBC threat.
• Bryant was then able to hold on, with Hackett potting his sixth and seventh of the game on an open net.  

Stats

• Bryant outshot UMBC, 49-37.
• The Bulldogs picked up 46 ground balls.
• The Bulldogs also won 21-of-33 faceoffs.
• Johnny Hackett posted seven goals and eight points.
• Groeninger picked up five points (3g, 2a). 
• Nathan Laliberte won 19-of-24 faceoffs and had 11 ground balls.
• Jack Lonsinger posted three goals.
• Connor McMahon posted two goals and an assist. 
• Drew Lucas had five ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Game Notes

• Bryant was playing its first-ever America East game. It was also Bryant's first game against UMBC.
• UMBC came into Saturday ranked in the top five nationally, allowing under eight goals a game.
• Timmy Hackett extended his point streak to 13 games dating back to last season.
• Jack Lonsinger recorded his fifth hat trick of the year.
• Hackett's seven goals tied Lonsinger's freshman record for goals in a game with seven. The seven goals are the second-most in a game in program history.
• Groeninger now leads the Bulldogs with 28 points on 14 goals and 14 assists.

Up Next
Bryant heads on the road next Saturday, traveling to UMass Lowell.