Big second quarter lifts Bryant past UAlbany, 20-16

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Kevin Groeninger , Timmy Hackett and Connor McMahon recorded hat tricks as the Bryant University men's lacrosse team earned a 20-16 victory over UAlbany on Saturday afternoon at Beirne Stadium. 

With the win, the Bulldogs are now 8-2 overall and 4-0 in America East play. The Bulldogs are 4-0 in league play for the first time since 2018 and the 8-2 record extends its best start in program history.

Groeninger notched five goals and an assist, while Hackett posted three goals and an assist to pace the league's top offense. Nathan Laliberte added two goals, and collected 13 ground balls.

Game Information
Bryant 19, UAlbany 10
Records: Bryant 8-2, 4-0, UAlbany 3-6, 2-2
Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I.)

Key Moment

• Bryant scored 11 times in the second quarter, including six over the final 4:33 to take a 15-4 lead into the break.          

How it Happened

• UAlbany opened the scoring but Bryant scored the next five goals. Johnny Hackett posted the first goal and Aidan Goltz wired home a goal off a feed from Mason Drouin to make it 2-1.
• Groeninger made it 3-1 before Timmy Hackett danced past his defender to make it 4-1.
• Jack Lonsinger opened the scoring in the second quarter and John Tomsheck scored his first-career goal to make it 6-2. He raced towards cage and fired it home.
• It started a string of four-straight goals to make it 9-2. Drouin added a goal in the stretch.
• UAlbany would score the next two goals but Bryant scored six times in the final 4:33 of the half. Laliberte started the streak with a faceoff win and score.
• Laliberte added his second goal just over a minute later. Groeninger then scored twice and Timmy Hackett closed the quarter, giving Bryant a 15-4 lead.
• UAlbany then dominated the third quarter, scoring the first six goals to make it 15-10 in favor of the Bulldogs.
• Bryant was able to respond and score the next four goals to put the game away.

Stats

• Bryant outshot UAlbany, 46-44.
• Groeninger finished with six points (5g, 1a).
• Timmy Hackett posted four points (3g, 1a).
• Lonsinger and Johnny Hackett all finished with two goals.
• McMahon had 3 goals and one assist.
• Laliberte scored twice and had 13 ground balls.
• Drouin posted a season-high three points (1g, 2a). 
• Goltz added six points (1g, 5a). 

Game Notes

• Bryant now owns a 3-2 lead in the all-time series with UAlbany.
• It marked the first time the home team has won in the series. 
• Bryant is off to its best 10-game start in program history at 8-2.
• Bryant is now 4-0 in its first season in the America East. Bryant has started 4-0 in league play for the first time since 2018.
• Timmy Hackett extended his point streak to 16 games dating back to last season.
• Hackett now has three hat tricks on the year.
• Groeninger recorded his fourth hat trick of the year and has multiple goals in each of his last six games. Groeninger leads the team with 41 points.
• The five goals are a career-high for Groeninger.
• Lonsinger reached the 30-goal mark with his tally.
• Goltz notched a career-high in assists with five. The six points are also a career high.

Up Next
Bryant heads to Vermont next Saturday to face the Catamounts. Faceoff is set for 3:30 p.m.