2019 Season Preview: Defense/Goalies
This is the second of a two-part series previewing the 2019 Bryant University women's lacrosse team. For a preview of Bryant's attack and midfield, click HERE.
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's lacrosse team begins its 2019 season Friday when the Bulldogs host regional power UMass at the Conaty Indoor Athletic Center.
Bryant's defense under first-year head coach Brianna Roche will feature a handful of returners in expanded roles and newcomers entering the mix as Bryant looks to continue its reign among the NEC's perennial contenders.
The Bulldogs return three players defensively who played in at least half of Bryant's games a year ago. Sophomore Jamie Fischer (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) saw the most action of the group, appearing in 15 games and starting 10 with 16 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers.
Junior Kelly Jacobsen (Northport, N.Y.) returns for her third season in Smithfield after seeing action in 11 games as a sophomore with three starts. Junior Sloane Sweitzer (Old Lyme, Conn.) played in nine contests in 2018 and will slide back to defense in the first season under Coach Roche.
Juniors Gabriella Henry (Massapequa, N.Y.) and Olivia Greene (Hollis, N.H.) both appeared in five games as sophomores, while sophomore Shea Farrell (Westwood, Mass.) will see her first action after redshirting in 2018.
Freshman Hannah Field (Watervliet, N.Y.) will look to make an impact in her first campaign in Black & Gold, vying for time among the group.
Both goalies on the Bryant roster will make their collegiate debuts when they take the field in 2019. Sophomore Giana Kapoosuzian (Merrick, N.Y.) studied behind All-NEC goalie Sam Santeramo last season in the latter's senior year and will battle for time with freshman Brianna Blatter (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.).
With a new staff and defensive starters, the Bulldogs look to continue a run in which the Black & Gold have gone from 35th to 14th to fifth in scoring defense nationally since 2016.
Bryant opens the 2019 season Friday at 7 p.m. when the Bulldogs host UMass at the Conaty Indoor Athletic Center. The game can be seen on NEC Front Row.
The Bulldogs will play seven of eight regular-season home games in 2019 at Beirne Stadium, beginning with the March 9 contest against Niagara. Season tickets for the 2019 campaign are available by clicking HERE.
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