Bryant Men's Lacrosse wins America East Championship in 2OT

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Aidan Goltz's wrap around goal with 2:39 left in double overtime lifted the Bryant University men's lacrosse team to a 12-11 victory and the 2023 America East Championship on Saturday afternoon at Virtue Field.

The Bulldogs earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and will find out its opponent on Sunday night during the NCAA Selection Show. It will air 9:30-10 PM on ESPNU.

Tournament MVP Kevin Groeninger led the Black and Gold with seven points (5g, 2a), while Jack Lonsinger and Goltz each scored twice. Bryant trailed 11-10 late in the fourth quarter but Groeninger found Timmy Hackett on the back door to tie the game with 15 seconds left. Goltz then won it in double overtime, putting an exclamation on the second-longest game in Bryant lacrosse history. 

Game Information
No. 2 Bryant 12, No. 4 UAlbany 11
Records: Bryant 12-4, UAlbany 6-10
Location: Virtue Field (Burlington, Vt.)
Notes: America East Championship

Key Moments

• Groeninger found Timmy Hackett on the back door to tie the game with 15 seconds left. 
• Goltz won the game with a wrap around goal in the second OT.            

How it Happened

• Bryant got off to a hot start, building a 7-3 lead with 5:05 left in the first half.
• Connor McMahon broke the ice, while Groeninger's crease role made it 3-0 at the 6:57 mark of the first quarter.
• Groeninger made it 5-2 five minutes into the second quarter and then scored a pair of goals 47 seconds apart to make it 7-3.
• UAlbany, however, scored the final three goals of the half to make it 7-6 at the break.
• The Great Danes tied the game at the beginning of the third quarter but Groeninger notched a man-up goal to make it 8-7.
• UAlbany, however, was able to score three of the final four goals of the quarter, taking a 10-9 lead to the fourth.
• Lonsinger tied the game, finishing a feed on the doorstep, with 11:52 remaining.
• It stayed tied until the Great Danes scored with 2:14 left.
• Bryant then won possession near its bench and called for time with 34 seconds left. Groeninger then raced out from behind the net and found Hackett on the far post to tie the game with 15 seconds left.
• In overtime, Bryant got a man advantage at the end of the first period but could not score. 
• In the second overtime, UAlbany had a chance to clear but turned the ball over. Goltz then restarted from the corner of the field and raced behind the cage. He emerged on the other side and snuck a shot through the five hole, setting off the celebration at midfield. 

Stats

• UAlbany outshot Bryant, 46-42.
• The Bulldogs held a 41-31 advantage in ground balls.
• Bryant won the faceoff, 15-13.
• Groeninger finished with five goals and two assists.
• Lonsinger and Goltz each potted a pair of goals.
• Ryan Dobrzynski finished with two assits.
• McMahon added a goal and an assist.
• Connor Whalen picked up five ground balls and caused three turnovers.
• Tanner Alexander had five ground balls and caused two turnovers.  

Game Notes

• Bryant won its first America East Championship in its debut season.
• The Bulldogs are now 7-0 in conference championshp games.
• Bryant has secured its sixth NCAA Tournament appearance (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2023).
• Bryant played it's second-longest game in DI program history. The Bulldogs lost in 4OT to Drexel in 2011. 
• Saturday's victory marked Bryant's first overtime victory since April 5, 2016 when it defeated No. 2 Brown, 11-10.
• Timmy Hackett extended his point streak to 22 games dating back to last season.
• Groeninger now leads the team with 68 points on the year. The 68 points are two shy of Tucker James' DI single-season record.
• Groeninger is also the first player in program history with 30+ goals and 30+ assists in the same season. He has 38 goals and 30 assists.
• Groeninger was named the Championship Most Outstanding Player. He finished with five goals and four assists in two games.
• Goltz now has 42 goals on the season. The 42 goals are tied for the fourth-most in DI program history.
• Goltz posted six goals in two America East Tournament games.
• Teagan Alexander, Zak Lanoue and Brody Rule joined Groeninger on the All-Tournament team. 
• Alexander made 12 saves in Saturday's championship.
• Dobrzynski was named the America East #Elite18 Award winner. 

Up Next
Bryant will learn its NCAA Tournament opponent on Sunday night during the NCAA Selection Show. The NCAA Selection Show will air live on ESPNU from 9:30-10:00 p.m.