#3 Men's soccer faces off with #2 Saint Francis U. Friday in NEC Tournament Semis

Watch: NECFrontRow.com
Live Stats: CCSUBlueDevils.com
Follow along on Twitter: @BryantGameday

Watch: NECFrontRow.com
Live Stats: CCSUBlueDevils.com
Follow along on Twitter: @BryantGameday

FULL GAME NOTES

NORTHEAST CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After five long years transitioning from the Division II level all the way to the Division I ranks, the #3 seeded Bryant University men's soccer team will faceoff with #2 seeded Saint Francis U. in the Northeast Conference Tournament Semifinals, Friday in New Britain, Conn. (6:30 p.m.).

In 2011, their final year of Division I reclassification, the Bulldogs finished the regular season with a disappointing 2-13-1 overall record. Just two years later, the Black and Gold set a D I program record with seven wins and are just days away from playing in their first-ever Division I postseason match.

"After just a few seasons competing at the Division I level, this team has proved that it belongs here," said head coach Seamus Purcell. "They have an incredible work ethic and have all bought into the "Team First" attitude and a "You Reap What You Sow" mentality."

Bryant closed the final months of the year going 4-2-1, earning wins in its final two contests to lock up the #3 overall seed in the NEC Tournament this weekend in New Britain, Conn. In the season finale victory, the Bulldogs sent a message to the rest of the league, topping previously unbeaten Central Connecticut, 4-1, behind a stellar hat trick from junior striker Connor Norat (Wilmington, Del.).

Sophomore goalkeeper Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) has solidified himself as one of the premier netminders in all the Northeast Conference, leading a talented defensive unit that allowed just 19 goals in 16 starts (1.16 GAA) this season (only four allowed in NEC play). Classmate Jake Lamar (New Haven, Conn.), one of only three Bulldogs to start every match, put together a breakout year, notching seven points on three goals and an assist after not appearing in a single match as a freshman; while forward Brett Larocque's (Ottawa, Ont.), 15 points (7g, 1a) is a Division I single-season record and his 28 career points are tops since the 2008 season.

But despite all the success this season, the Bulldogs haven't lost sight of their main goal: an NEC Tournament Championship. The first step toward accomplishing this feat begins with a semifinal battle with the Red Flash on Friday. Saint Francis enters tourney action with an 11-4-3 overall mark, finishing tied for second play with Bryant in the NEC standings (4-2-1).

The two teams met earlier this season in Loretto, Pa., with the Red Flash securing the lone score of the match in the 49th minute. Since then, the Bulldogs have lost just one contest, truly hitting their stride when it matters the most.

A new era in Bryant men's soccer will begin on Friday as the Bulldogs look to prove why they are one of the top teams in the Northeast Conference.

For links to streaming video and Live Stats of the NEC Tournament and all the latest news on the Bryant University men's soccer team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.