Bryant falls to Wagner in season opener

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Junior Emily Diaz poured in three goals but it wasn't enough as the Bryant University women's lacrosse team fell to Wagner, 12-6, in the 2021 season opener in Staten Island.

GAME INFORMATION
Wagner 12, Bryant 6
Records: Bryant (0-1) | Wagner (3-1, 3-0)
Location: Hameline Field (Staten Island, N.Y.)

COACH ROCHE COMMENTS

"Wagner is a talented team that got the better of us today. We didn't execute as well as we would have liked but saw promising things from a number of our underclassmen. We will learn from our mistakes today and get back to work in preparation for our next game."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Wagner kicked off the game with two goals before Cassidy Burns spun around her defender and found the back of the net to get the Bulldogs on the board, 2-1.
• In a span of one minute and 24 seconds, the Seahawks responded with three-straight goals to grow a four-goal lead.
• Diaz took advantage of a free position opportunity and fired it past the Wagner goalie for the final Bulldog goal of the half, 5-2. But before the halftime buzzer, Wagner tallied two more.
• Bryant came into the second half hot as they scored back-to-back goals. First, freshman Lily Auger found the back of the net for her first career goal. Under a minute later, Shea Farrell cleared the ball out of Bryant's defensive half and found Diaz's stick. Diaz fired it into the net to cut into Wagner's lead, 7-4.
• Wagner went on to score four-straight, but Diaz's third goal of the day broke up the Seahawk run. Margaret Adams tore up the field and passed it to Diaz in front of the net.
• Adams continued to aid in Bryant's offense just two minutes later when sophomore Emily Oliver found the stick of Adams to help Bryant pull within five with under four minutes left to play.
• With 30 seconds left to play in the game, Wagner capitalized on a free position opportunity to close out the game, 12-6.

STATS/GAME NOTES

• Diaz led the Bryant scoring with a hat trick. The three goals marks a career-high for the junior. She fired four shots which were all on target.
• Auger, Adams, and Burns each added one goal each. Adams and Auger's goals were the first of their career. Adams also dished out her first career assist.
• Junior Alexa Weber led Bryant with five shots, four of which were on frame.
• Graduate student Gabriella Henry led with a game-high five ground balls which marks a career-best. Henry also tied her career-high with two caused turnovers.
• Burns and Auger also added a career-high two caused turnovers while sophomore Madison Henry added one.
• Burns also contributed a career-best three draw controls.
• Sophomore Sam Ciancio appeared in her first game for the Black and Gold in between the pipes and stopped a career-best of 12.
• Wagner outshot the Bulldogs, 36-21.

UP NEXT: MERRIMACK
Bryant returns to Smithfield when they host Merrimack on Wednesday, March 17 at Beirne Stadium.