BRYANT TAKES ON BROWN IN INTRASTATE FACEOFF TUESDAY NIGHT IN SMITHFIELD
SMITHFIELD, R.I. — The Bryant University men's lacrosse team will wrap up non-conference action Tuesday night against its biggest rival, as intrastate foe Brown University comes to the Bryant Turf Complex at 7 p.m. for the final game of the annual Ocean State Cup.
The Bears (6-6) are looking to claim their first Ocean State Cup since 2010 and take back the title from the Bulldogs (5-9), who have won the Rhode Island round-robin each of the last two seasons. The Black and Gold, who are also in a race for Northeast Conference Tournament hosting rights, kick off arguably the most exciting week of the season with Tuesday's rivalry bout and will then play Sacred Heart Saturday afternoon to determine the league's top seed.
"It's a huge week with two big games for the Bulldogs," said head coach Mike Pressler, "one against our local rival in a matchup that has been a one- or two-goal game one way or another every time out, and then the one at the end of the week that has important conference implications."
A victory Tuesday night could give Bryant just the boost it needs heading into the regular-season finale, but to come away on top, the Bulldogs will have to deal with a hard-nosed Bear offense, led by Henry Blynn and Sam Hurster.
The duo each contribute more than 20 goals on the year, with Blynn pacing the Brown ranks in goals (24) and points (32). Hurster's 21-goal, 28-point season are right behind, while George Sherman is one of just four 12-game starters for the Bears and leads the side with 16 assists (22 points).
In goal, Brown has turned to a pair of netminders in Will Round (1-2) and Jack Kelly (5-4), who have appeared in eight (three starts) and 10 (eight starts) games, respectively. Round boasts a 9.40 goals against average and .589 save percentage while Kelly has posted a 10.26 GAA and .490 save percentage in 2013.
The Bulldogs will counter with an offensive unit that has averaged 12.14 goals per game over the last seven outings, going 5-2 in the stretch. Leading scorers Colin Dunster (Cos Cob, Conn.) and Shane Morrell (Glen Mills, Pa.) have posted 20 and 25 points, respectively, over the last month and share the team lead with 35 points apiece.
But the pair also went 4-for-17 shooting Saturday against Mount St. Mary's, as the Black and Gold starting six scored just seven goals in 29 shots. The team also lost the overall ground ball battle for the first time all season, 30-25.
"Our focus is, most importantly, that we have to play better," said Pressler. "We have to play better in every phase of our game than we did against Mount St. Mary's. Regardless of who we play, our focus is on our team, the team in white, and we have to play harder and better than we did on Saturday."
Tuesday's game is slated for 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast live and free of charge on NECFrontRow.com.
