Seven Bulldogs score in 2016 season opener; Bryant tops Vermont, 11-7, Monday on road

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Behind a hat trick from senior attack Lauren Descalzo (Hauppauge, N.Y.) and seven different goal scorers, the Bryant University women's lacrosse team never trailed in its 2016 season opener, topping the University of Vermont, 11-7, on the road Monday afternoon.

Descalzo's trio of scores were a contest best and included the eventual game winner with 15:39 to play in the second half, but the senior was far from alone on offense. Senior Nicole Britton (Monmouth Beach, N.J.) paced the contest with four points off two goals and a pair of assists to help lead the Bulldogs (1-0), while rookie Jess DeMeo (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) came off the bench to score two of her own in her collegiate debut.

Juniors Emily Columbus (East Northport, N.Y.) and Shannon Sullivan (Farmingdale, N.Y.), along with sophomores Catlin Brown (San Diego, Calif.) and Laura Fullam (Massapequa, N.Y.), also posted multi-point outings.

The Catamounts (0-1) were led by three goals and an assist from Meredith Moore and got four more points from Alex Bernier (2 goals, 2 assists). Jenna Janes and Brynne Yarranton also contributed a tally each despite the loss.

Sullivan got the scoring started off a feed from Britton less than four minutes into the contest, and while Vermont would even the score less than 90 seconds later, the Bulldogs would net the next three straight – from Brown, Descalzo and DeMeo – to wind the clock down to the 10:13 mark.

But a 4-1 Bulldog lead with 10 to play in the half would quickly turn into a 4-4 contest less than two minutes into the second stanza, thanks to goals from Janes, Bernier and Yarranton, respectively, leading to the deadlock with 28:11 remaining in regulation.

But the Bulldogs wouldn't let the stalemate sit for long. Just 30 seconds later, top returning point getter Columbus would score her first of the year, assisted by Brown for a 5-4 Bryant edge.

The teams would stay scoreless for nearly 10 minutes before Descalzo broke through once more, taking a pass from Columbus and depositing it beyond Catamount netminder Maddy Kuras (12 saves). Britton would follow with her first of the day before Descalzo capped off her hat trick with the eventual game winner for an 8-4 advantage.

Moore put an end to the four-goal Bulldog stretch with 14:21 left on the clock, but DeMeo would get right back on the board less than four minutes later.

Two more Vermont tallies brought the hosts back within two, 9-7, with 3:06 to play, but it would not be enough, as Fullam and Britton rounded out the scoring for the 11-7 final.

"We are so proud of how our team started off the year," said Bryant head coach Jill Batcheller. "Our players were able to stay mentally tough, despite the cold weather. Possessions created by our draw and by defensive takeaways really sparked the offense."

Defensively, the Bulldogs got caused turnovers from five different sources and saw sophomore goalie Samantha Santeramo (Wantagh, N.Y.) make nine saves in a complete-game effort. Britton and junior Carly Cronin (Feeding Hills, Mass.) paced the Black and Gold on the draw with three draw controls apiece, as the visitors won the category, 14-6, on the day. Bryant also took the edge on shots, 27-21, but lost the ground ball battle, 17-12. Descalzo finished the day with a game-high three.

The Bulldogs will now return home to host UC Davis in their home opener Friday afternoon at the Bryant Turf Complex (1 p.m.).

"Today was a complete team effort and a great way to start off the season," said Batcheller. "We are looking forward to this week to keep improving and get back to business on Friday."