Bulldogs conclude non-conference slate against River Hawks, Wednesday night in Smithfield

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Winners of three-straight road games, the Bryant University women's lacrosse team returns home when it battles UMass Lowell to wrap up non-conference action, Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.  

Wednesday's contest marks the second-straight and second all-time meeting between the Bulldogs (5-3) and River Hawks (1-7). The Black and Gold won, 16-3, on the road last season, a game in which five current Bulldogs registered points. Then-freshman Catlin Brown (San Diego, Calif.) tallied a goal and two assists, midfielders Meaghan Brennan (Glen Head, N.Y.) and Olivia Brooks (Auburn, N.Y.) each scored once and senior attack Nicole Britton (Monmouth Beach, N.Y.) totaled a pair of helpers.  

The Bulldogs allowed just six shots on goal in last year's victory over the River Hawks and netminders Samantha Santeramo (Wantagh, N.Y.) and Daja Andrews (Lumberton, N.Y.) combined to make just three saves. Bryant was also able to win impressively without the services of Lauren Descalzo (Hauppauge, N.Y.) who has netted 10 goals to go along with three assists and seven ground balls over the last three games. She currently sits second in the Northeast Conference with 22 goals on the season.

The Bulldogs will need Descalzo and the rest of the offense to perform on the same level as last season's matchup, as the River Hawks have a ball-hog between the pipes in sophomore Courtney Barrett. Barrett leads the America East and sits eighth in the country with 10.22 saves per game and she leads the nation with 4.44 ground balls per contest.

But UMass Lowell has not been as stout in front of Barrett, as the defensive unit allows 12.89 goals per game and opponents to fire just under 35 shots per game (26.5 on goal). The defensive numbers can be attributed to an inexperienced group that consists of six sophomores, two freshmen and one senior in Laura Kender, who sits second on the team with 12 ground balls and eight caused turnovers.

Bryant caused 14 River Hawk turnovers last year and picked up 26 ground balls, both season highs. Santeramo has also been solid in the crease over the last three games, allowing 15 goals with 22 saves, as she has improved her record to 4-1 this season.

The Bulldog defense will look to continue their strong play of late and focus on four double-digit point getters for UMass Lowell, led by freshman attack Noelle Lambert. Lambert paces the River Hawks with 15 points on 10 goals and five assists. She is accompanied by sophomore attack Taylor Sokol with 14 points on nine scores and five helpers, frosh midfielder Kelly Moran with 11 points on nine goals and two assists to go along with a team-high 25 draw controls, and fellow freshman mid Kristina Keith with 10 points on nine goals and a helper.

Wednesday's action at the Bryant Track and Turf Complex is set to kick off at 7:00 p.m. and it can be seen live on NECFrontRow.com (Tristan Hobbes & Ian Russel) and followed along via livestats on BryantBulldogs.com.