Bulldogs handle Blue Devils, 13-4, Friday on the road

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's lacrosse team improved to 8-0 on the road this season with its 13-4 victory over Central Connecticut State University on Friday evening to remain tied for first place in the Northeast Conference.

The Bulldogs (10-4, 4-1 NEC) were paced by freshman midfielder Jess DeMeo (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) and her first-half hat trick. Junior midfielder Shannon Sullivan (Farmingdale, N.Y.) and freshmen middies Lauren Britton (Monmouth Beach, N.J.) and Emma Ahlrichs (Zionsville, Ind.) each netted a pair of goals. Senior attack Nicole Britton (Monmouth Beach, N.J.) scored a goal and had an assist in the win, and a total of 11 Bulldogs tallied points. Sophomore goalie Samantha Santeramo (Wantagh, N.Y.) was solid between the pipes, allowing just four goals with 11 saves in a full 60 minutes, as she improved to 9-1 on the season.   

The Blue Devils (3-11, 2-3) had six point-getters and four goal scorers, with attacker Kylie Sullivan leading the charge with a score and an assist. Freshman netminder Jackie Branthover let in 12 of the 13 goals in 52:33 of action, but she sent away nine shots in the loss.

The Bulldogs jumped out to an incredible start and essentially won the game in the first 15 minutes of the initial half. It took the visitors nearly nine minutes to tally a goal, as Nicole Britton wrapped around the crease and traveled roughly 280 degrees before scoring the first of the game. DeMeo completed her hat trick over the ensuing seven minutes, and Lauren Britton added a free-position score to make it 5-0 at the 14:38 mark.

Kylie Sullivan got the Blue Devils on the board 30 seconds later following a win on the draw and a nice feed in front of the cage from Falynn McCartney. But the Black and Gold tacked on two more before the end of the half, capped off by Lauren Britton's second free-position goal, making it 7-1 at the half.

Meaghan Brennan (Glen Head, N.Y.) scored just 1:21 into the second half, Ahlrichs caged both of her scores and Shannon Sullivan netted her first over the next 12 minutes, as a 4-0 Bryant run gave it a commanding 11-1 edge.

The hosts and visitors traded goals over the final 10 minutes of the half, but terrific team defense all game long prohibited CCSU from making a serious comeback. Bryant forced 12 Blue Devil turnovers, seven of which came in the first half. The Bulldogs also took advantage of their free-position opportunities, caging six chances deriving from Blue Devil fouls.

The win has Bryant and Robert Morris knotted for first in the NEC with 4-1 league records and two games remaining, though the Colonials have the tie breaker after their 10-7 victory over the Black and Gold on April 17.

Bryant returns to action on Friday, April 29 at LIU Brooklyn, with first draw set for 4:00 p.m.