Bryant improves to 3-0 in America East with win over NJIT

NEWARK, N.J. – Jack Lonsinger scored five times in his return to his home state and the Bryant University men's lacrosse team won its third-straight game with a 16-8 victory over NJIT on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Bulldogs are now 7-2 overall and 3-0 in the America East. Bryant's nine-game start is its best in program history.

Lonsinger notched five goals to pace the offense, while Kevin Groeninger finished with four points (3g, 1a). Johnny Hackett and Aidan Goltz also potted a pair for the Black and Gold. 

Nathan Laliberte won 15-of-22 faceoffs and eight ground balls. Zak Lanoue contributed five ground balls and four caused turnovers, while Tanner Alexander had two points (1g, 1a), five ground balls and five caused turnovers.

Game Information
Bryant 16, NJIT 8
Records: Bryant 7-2, 3-0, NJIT 2-7, 0-3
Location: Mal Simon Stadium (Newark, N.J.)

Key Moment

• NJIT took a 4-2 lead 1:30 into the second quarter but the Bulldogs would score the next eight to take a commanding 10-4 lead.          

How it Happened

• NJIT opened the scoring but Lonsinger's first of the afternoon tied it and Groeninger made it 2-1 as he circled from behind the cage.
• The Highlanders, however, would score the next three to make it 4-2 early in the second quarter.
• Goltz and Groeninger would score 40 seconds part to tie the game at 4-4 with 11:57 left in the second.
• Laliberte won the ensuing faceoff and raced down the field, feeding Lonsinger on the doorstep to give Bryant a lead it wouldn't relinquish.
• Lonsinger would add his third goal of the half at the 9:19 mark, finishing a feed from Tanner Alexander.
• Johnny Hackett netted his first of the game to open the second half, while Lonsinger followed with the next two and Groeninger made it 10-4 with 7:18 to play in the third.
• The Highlanders potted the next two but Connor McMahon finished a feed from Timmy Hackett to make it 11-6 going into the fourth.
• Tanner Alexander made it 12-6 as the long pole collected a rebound at the top of the crease and put it home.
• NJIT would again score two more but Timmy Hackett's man-up goal stopped the momentum and made it 13-8 with 5:57 left.
• Laliberte would once again win the ensuing faceoff and Goltz finished a turning shot just nine seconds after Hackett.
• Bryant would add a pair of empty net goals from Hackett and Cole Braun to close out the scoring.

Stats

• Bryant outshot NJIT, 51-37.
• The Bulldogs picked up 42 ground balls.
• Bryant won 17-of-27 faceoffs.
• Lonsinger finished with five goals on six shots on goal.
• Groeninger recorded four points, notching a hat trick.
• Johnny Hackett (2g, 1a) and Aidan Goltz (2g) each added two goals.
• Timmy Hackett finished with two points (1g, 1a).
• Laliberte won 15-of-22 faceoffs, picked up eight ground balls and had an assist.
• Tanner Alexander posted two points (1g, 1a), had five ground balls and five caused turnovers.
• Lanoue posted five ground balls and four caused turnovers.

Game Notes

• Bryant and NJIT were meeting for the first time in program history.
• Bryant is off to its best nine-game start in program history at 7-2.
• Bryant is now 3-0 in its first season in the America East. Bryant has started 3-0 in league play each of the last two years.
• Timmy Hackett extended his point streak to 15 games dating back to last season.
• Johnny Hackett has now scored 13 goals in the last three games. He has 27 on the year.
• Lonsinger recorded his sixth hat trick of the year and now leads the team with 29 goals. 
• Groeninger recorded his third hat trick of the year and has multiple goals in each of his last five games.
• Laliberte has now won 64 percent of his faceoffs on the season.
• Tanner Alexander tied his season high for points (2) and set season highs for ground balls and caused turnovers.

Up Next
Bryant returns home next Saturday to face UAlbany at Beirne Stadium. It will be game two of a womens/mens doubleheader with a faceoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m.