Bulldogs fall to Merrimack on Saturday

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Kevin Groeninger notched six points but the Bryant University men's lacrosse team dropped its regular season finale at Merrimack on Saturday afternoon. 

With the loss, the Bulldogs end the regular season with a 10-4 overall record and a 5-2 league mark. Bryant will serve as the No. 2 seed in the America East Championships and will face No. 3 seed Binghamton next Thursday, May 4.

Groeninger wrapped up an incredible regular season in which he posted just the fifth 60-point season in DI program history. He enters the America East Tournament with 33 goals and 27 assists for 60 points. Aidan Goltz recorded four points (3g, 1a), while Jack Lonsinger and Johnny Hackett each scored twice. 

Game Information
Merrimack 12, Bryant 9
Records: Bryant 10-4, 5-2, Merrimack 7-6, 3-4
Location: Duane Stadium (North Andover, Mass.)

Key Moment

• Merrimack scored the final five goals of the first half to take a 7-2 lead to the break.             

How it Happened

• Goltz opened the scoring before Merrimack scored twice in less than a minute. 
• Lonsinger then tied the game 2-2 with 8:02 left in the first quarter. 
• Merrimack then scored the next five goals to make it 7-2 at the break.
• Goltz posted a pair of goals to start the third to pull Bryant within four, 8-4.
• The Warriors made it 10-4 at the end of the third quarter.
• Bryant opened the fourth quarter with a buzz, scoring four times to make it a 10-8 game.
• The Warriors were able to hold on for a 12-9 victory.

Stats

• Merrimack outshot Bryant, 41-30.
• The Warriors held a 40-38 advantage in ground balls.
• Groeninger finished with two goals and four assists for six points. 
• Goltz notched three goals and an assist.
• Lonsinger and Johnny Hackett each had two goals.
• Nathan Laliberte won 8-of-13 faceoffs.  

Game Notes

• Bryant is now 3-1 vs Merrimack at the DI level.
• Timmy Hackett extended his point streak to 20 games dating back to last season.
• Groeninger now leads the team with 60 points on the year. He becomes the fifth player in DI program history with 60+ points. 
• Johnny Hackett and Lonsinger finished the regular season tied for the team lead with 39 goals. 
• Goltz recorded his seventh hat trick of the year. He now has 36 goals and 50 points.

Up Next
Bryant will face Binghamton in the America East Semifinals next Thursday, May 4. Faceoff is set for 7:00 p.m.