Britton, Santeramo help Bulldogs battle to victory in Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Junior Lauren Britton (Monmouth Beach, N.Y.) recorded a career-high six points on two goals and four assists, while also recorded three ground balls and three draw controls in Bryant's 13-9 victory over LIU Brooklyn on Sunday morning.

Senior Samantha Santeramo (Wantagh, N.Y.) made 12 saves and junior Jess DeMeo (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) scored five goals in the victory as well.

GAME INFORMATION

Bryant 13, LIU Brooklyn 9

Records: Bryant (8-4, 3-0 NEC), LIU Brooklyn (3-9, 0-3 NEC)

Location: LIU Field – Brooklyn, N.Y.

COACH BATCHELLER'S COMMENTS

"LIU had a great day. They came out with a ton of energy and made some great plays. Today was a reminder that every game in the NEC is a battle. Sam really stepped up and made some key saves for us, allowing us to keep the lead for the majority of the game. In the end, our mental toughness really showed as we were able to come up with plays when it counted most. That's a huge positive to have in our back pocket as we continue through the conference season. I am looking forward to this week as we review and prepare for two more conference games next weekend."

KEY MOMENT

LIU started the game with a goal from Amanda Masullo, but Bryant quickly gained the lead for good, scoring five straight goals in a span of 8:56 to lead by four at the midway point of the first half. DeMeo recorded the first three of the five-goal stretch.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Masullo scored 91 seconds into the game to put the Blackbirds on top on an eight-meter shot.
• DeMeo answered, scoring two goals in 55 seconds and then a third 7:08 later to put Bryant up three. Britton and senior Catlin Brown (San Diego, Calif.) scored the next two goals of the 5-0 run.
• The Blackbirds fought back at the end of the half, scoring four goals in 3:56 from four different goalscorers. Britton's free-position goal during that stretch would ensure Bryant lead at the break.
• Bryant scored the first four goals of the second half in a 4:52 stretch, with freshman Caitlin Bolen (Queensbury, N.Y.) scoring the first two during the run. Senior Emily Columbus (East Northport, N.Y.) scored what would become the game-winner to finish the run, putting Bryant up 10-5.
• LIU answered, however, with two goals from Bianca Santucci and a third from Rachel Masullo to cut Bryant's lead to two.
• DeMeo came back offensively, putting the game away in the final six minutes with a pair of goals.

STATS

• Bryant outshot LIU Brooklyn 17-12 in the second half, leading to a 35-32 overall advantage.
• 73 total fouls were called in the game, with the Blackbirds committing 37 and the Bulldogs being charged with 36.
• Bryant's defense forced six failed clears of LIU Brooklyn, who finished 19-25.
• The ground battle was even, with 34 total ground balls being split evenly at 17 apiece.
• Senior Laura Fullam (Massapequa, N.Y.) was outstanding defensively, recording six ground balls and a pair of caused turnovers.
• Junior Meredith James (Essex Fells, N.J.) snagged six of Bryant's 10 draw controls on the afternoon.
• Leading the way on the ground with Fullam and Britton, senior Madison McNally (East Northport, N.Y.) and freshman Jamie Fischer (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) each scooped a pair of ground balls.
• DeMeo finished the day with five goals, leading both teams in the department. Bolen, Brown and Britton also had multi-goal efforts for the Bulldogs.

NOTES

• Fullam's previous career-high for ground balls was five, set as a freshman in 2015 at UMass Lowell.
• The multi-goal effort from Bolen is the first of her career.
• DeMeo has now scored four or more goals in four different contests this season, including the previous two.
• The Mount Sinai, N.Y. native has cracked the Top 10 in program history for career points and stands sixth all-time with 137 career goals.
• Britton is also in the program's Top 10 now with 95 career draw controls.
• The Bulldogs are now 8-0 when leading at halftime and 8-1 in games decided by four or more goals.
• Bryant has won their last 10 games against conference opponents and their last 13 regular season games against NEC foes.

UP NEXT

A big weekend for the Bulldogs is ahead, as they host two games against NEC opponents from Pennsylvania. Robert Morris visits the Bryant Track and Turf for the first battle, a 7:00 p.m. Friday night affair.

For an inside look at the program, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.