Bryant opens 2018 with 16-6 win over Albany

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Led by five points from junior Jess DeMeo (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) and four points from classmate Meredith James (Essex Fells, N.J.) and sophomore Caitlin Breglia (Long Beach, N.Y.), the Bryant University women's lacrosse team opened the 2018 season with a resounding 16-6 victory over Albany on Saturday afternoon at the Track & Turf Complex.

Demeo registered four goals and an assist, while James recorded her first-career hat trick to pace Bryant's first-ever win over Albany. The duo combined to score five goals during an eight-goal stretch for the Black and Gold that spanned the two halves and made a one-goal game a nine-goal game.

GAME INFORMATION

Bryant 16, Albany 6

Records: Bryant (1-0), Albany (0-3)

Location: Bryant Track & Turf Complex (Smithfield, R.I.)

COACH BATCHELLER'S COMMENTS

"I am incredibly proud of our team today. This win was a complete team effort, from our shutdown defense, to our dynamic offense to our energetic sidelines. Our seniors and upperclassmen have been fueling this team all year long with their passion and today it showed more than ever. It's great way to start 2018 and now it's back to work tomorrow getting ready for next weekend against Hartford."

KEY MOMENT

• After back-to-back goals by Albany made it a 5-4 game with 10:15 left in the first half, Bryant went on an eight-goal run over the next 30 minutes of gameplay to break the game open.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

• James and DeMeo opened the scoring with goals under a minute apart in the first half.
• Albany quickly responded as Kendra Harbinger scored goals just 56 seconds apart with 22:01 left in the half.
• Breglia would then sandwich her first two goals of the afternoon around a marker from junior Emma Ahlrichs (Zionsville, Ind.) to make it 5-2 with 16:03 left.
• After two Albany goals, back-to-back goals from DeMeo kick started Bryant's eight-goal stretch. Both came on free position attempts.
• Seniors Catlin Brown (San Diego, Calif.) and Emily Columbus (East Northport, N.Y.) scored the final two goals of the half, with Columbus firing one home with just three seconds left in the first half.
• With their defense shutting down the Great Danes, Bryant would score four goals to start the second half before Albany finally stopped the stretch with a goal at the 11:32 mark. Breglia and DeMeo scored the first two and James capped the run with her final two goals of the afternoon.
• Junior Lauren Britton (Monmouth Beach, N.J.) closed out the Bryant scoring with two goals under a minute apart with 2:50 left in the game.

STATS

• Bryant outshot Albany, 30-26. The Bulldogs also won the ground ball battle, 16-11.
• Albany had the advantage in draw controls, 12-10.
• Bryant was a perfect 15-for-15 on clears and finished 6-for-8 on free position chances.
• DeMeo posted four goals and an assist to finish with five points. She scored on all four shots she took.
• James posted her first-career hat trick, finishing with three goals and an assist. She added two ground balls and three draw controls.
• Breglia recorded three goals and an assist.
• Britton added four ground balls and two draw controls to her two goals.
• Brown posted two goals and an assist.
• Jamie Fischer (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) and Madison McNally (East Northport, N.Y.) each collected three ground balls.
• Senior goalie Samantha Santeramo (Wantagh, N.Y.) finished with 10 saves.

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs return to the field next Saturday when they head to West Hartford, Connecticut, to take on the University of Hartford.