Bulldogs shoot for 2-0 start, host UC Davis in the home opener Friday at 1 p.m.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Looking to begin the season 2-0 for just the second time since joining the Division I ranks, the Bryant University women's lacrosse team will open up its home slate Friday afternoon, taking on UC Davis at the Bryant Turf Complex at 1:00 p.m.

The Bulldogs (1-0) and Aggies (0-0) will battle for the second-straight season and the fourth time in the series Friday. Bryant made the trip out to California for last year's matchup and returned to the east coast with a 13-10 win, but UC Davis holds the 2-1 series edge.

The Bulldogs were tested in their 2016 opener Monday in a frigid environment in Burlington, Vt., but ultimately came away with the season-opening win behind seven different scorers in a strong all-around team effort.

The Catamounts trailed, 4-1, late in the first half, but were able to tie the game less than two minutes into the second frame. But Bryant scored four unanswered goals to take an 8-4 edge, capped off by senior Lauren Descalzo's (Hauppauge, N.Y.) third goal of the contest, which would stand as the game winner, as the visitors went on to win, 11-7.

Fellow fourth-year attack Nicole Britton (Monmouth Beach, N.J.) paced all performers with four points off two goals and two assists. Freshman Jess DeMeo (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) netted two in her collegiate debut off the bench.

Four other Bulldogs recorded multipoint efforts, including juniors Emily Columbus (East Northport, N.Y.) (1 goal, 2 assists) and Shannon Sullivan (Farmingdale, N.Y.) (1g, 1a). Sophomores Catlin Brown (San Diego, Calif.) and Laura Fullam (Massapequa, N.Y.) each put one into the back of the net while dishing out an assist apiece.

Sophomore netminder Samantha Santeramo (Wantagh, N.Y.) made nine saves in a complete-game outing for the Black and Gold in the victory.

Coming off a 4-13 season, the Aggies will return four of their top five point getters from a season ago when they open their 2016 campaign Friday. Junior Melissa Kellan and senior Courtney Neff each posted over 35 points in 2015, with the former tallying 32 goals and 10 assists and the latter scoring 34 with five helpers.

Seniors Ellie Delich and Mary Doyle fired in 11 goals apiece last season, while Doyle finished second on the team with 42 draw controls and 34 ground balls. The Aggies will also be returning their top option between the pipes from a season ago in junior Kai Murphy, who started all 17 games to finish with 110 saves, a 10.69 goals against average and a 4-11 overall record.

Friday's game can be seen live and free-of-charge at NECFrontRow.com. Fans can also follow along with livestats at bryantbulldogs.com.