Bryant faces Johns Hopkins Sunday in NCAA First Round

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's lacrosse team will face No. 6 national seed Johns Hopkins on Sunday afternoon in the NCAA First Round at Homewood Field in Baltimore, Md. Faceoff is set for 12:00 p.m. and the game will air on ESPNU.

Sunday will mark Bryant's sixth appearance in the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships, while JHU will be competing in its record 48th tournament.

The winner of Sunday's game will face the winner of Saturday's first round game between Utah and No. 3 Notre Dame in the NCAA Quarterfinals on May 21 in Annapolis, Md.

The Particulars
Opponent: No. 6 Johns Hopkins
Location: Homewood Field (Baltimore, Md.)
Date and Time: Sunday, May 14 – 12:00 p.m.
Watch: ESPNU  
Live Stats: Sidearm 
Game Notes: Bryant
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #GoBryant | #AEMLax 

THE SERIES
Bryant and Johns Hopkins will be meeting for the first time in program history. 

BRYANT IN THE POSTSEASON
Bryant won its seventh conference championship on Saturday, May 6, with a 12-11 double overtime victory over UAlbany. It marked Bryant's first America East title after it claimed six Northeast Conference titles from 2012-2022. The Bulldogs are now 7-0 all-time in conference championship games. Bryant will now be making its sixth NCAA Tournament appearance and the Bulldogs are 3-5 in tournament play.

2014 QUARTERFINAL RUN
Bryant's most successful postseason run came in 2014 when it reached the NCAA Quarterfinals. The Bulldogs opened the NCAA Tournament with a 9-8 victory over Siena in the play-in game. Bryant then took on No. 2 national seed Syracuse in the Carrier Dome, defeating the Orange 10-9 in a shocking upset. Bryant's run came to an end at Hofstra in a 16-8 loss to Maryland. 

SCOUTING JOHNS HOPKINS
Johns Hopkins is one of the most storied programs in college lacrosse, having won a record nine national titles. The Blue Jays are 11-5 overall and fell in the Big Ten Semifinals to Maryland. Johns Hopkins averages 12.19 goals per game and 11.19 goals against per game. The Blue Jays have won just 49 percent of their faceoffs. Jacob Angelus leads the team with 52 points (15g, 37a). Russell Melendez and Garrett Degnon have each scored 30+ goals.   

BRYANT NOTES AND NOTABLES

• The Bulldogs are 12-4 overall entering the NCAA Tournament. Bryant went 6-1 at home and has posted a 6-3 record away from Beirne Stadium.
• Bryant ranks in the ninth nationally with 14.56 goals per game. 
• The Bulldogs have five players with 40+ points for the first time in program history. 
• Kevin Groeninger paces the group with 68 points (38g, 10a), while Aidan Goltz (42-15-57), Johnny Hackett (40-12-52), Timmy Hackett (22-23-45) and Jack Lonsinger (42-2-44) all have 40+.
• Groeninger was named the America East Tournament MOP after posting five goals and two assists in the championship. 
• Groeninger is tied for the second-most points in a single season in DI program history with Zack Greer. The record is 70 and was set by Tucker James.
• Goltz scored the game-winning goal in the championship and is tied for the team lead with 42 goals.
• Goltz and Lonsinger are tied for the fourth-most goals in a single season in DI program history. The record is 44 and was set by Shane Morrell in 2014.
• Drew Lucas has 55 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers on the year, while Tanner Alexander has 44 ground balls and 23 caused turnovers.
• Teagan Alexander posted 12 saves on Saturday and owns a 11.66 goals against average. Alexander has made 182 saves this year, the third-most in a season.  

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