SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's lacrosse team looks to even up its record Saturday afternoon at home, hosting the University of Hartford at 3 p.m. in the second half of a lacrosse doubleheader at the Bryant Track & Turf Complex.
"In my 11-year tenure at Bryant, I'm not sure we've had a more pivotal game in the month of February," said head coach Mike Pressler. "Based on our past three games and what is ahead of us, Saturday's game against Hartford is a key game not only to turn our season around, but for us to get going offensively."
The Bulldogs (1-2) are 3-0 in the all-time series against the Hawks (0-1) at the Division I level, but two of those contests have been decided by just a pair of goals. In last year's outing, the Black and Gold outscored Hartford, 7-3, in the final quarter to break open a one-goal game en route to the 16-11 final.
"The Hartford-Bryant series over the years has been highly competitive," said Pressler. "Two years ago, we were down three going into the fourth quarter. Last year, we were up one going into the fourth. We expect the same kind of game against the Hawks tomorrow."
The Hawks have played just a single game so far in 2017, falling to a Boston University side that is receiving votes in the national polls, 12-5. Hartford's five goals came from five different players, including Griffen Feiner, who added two assists for a team-leading three points. Feiner found the back of the net five times in last season's matchup against the Black and Gold.
Reigning America East Rookie of the Year Dylan Jinks returns 59 points from last season, six of which were earned against the Bulldogs (3g, 3a), while Justin Huggins is the Hawks' top returning goal scorer from a season ago (35). Of the 17 players who scored goals for Hartford in 2016, all but one returns this spring (Ty Schuldt, 1 goal).
"They are a veteran team across the board," said Pressler. "In addition to the experience of their offense, they also return basically their entire defense. This was the America East champion a year ago, and this is as veteran a group as our own and as veteran as we'll play all year."
Also headlining that group of top-notch veterans is faceoff specialist Dylan Protesto, who returns to the X after earning a Preseason All-America Honorable Mention from Inside Lacrosse. Despite going just 9-for-20 in the team's opener, the junior led the nation in faceoff percentage a year ago, winning at the X 70.8 percent of the time, and was named a Third Team All-American.
"Hartford returns arguably the best faceoff guy in Division I lacrosse," said Pressler. "Last year in our game, he won 20-of-30. If there is one part of the game that is most important to our success tomorrow, it would be at the faceoff X."
The way to beat Protesto starts with the unit as a whole rather than just the individual performance of junior counterpart Kenny Massa (Huntington, N.Y.) (30-61; .492).
"Kenny has to be supported by great wing play," Pressler said. "That group has to be a tremendous unit. When No. 4 [Protesto] gets it going, he wins it himself, and we have to do everything in our power to make sure we get in there and win those."
The face between the pipes, though, is not the one Hartford expected. With a preseason injury to Ryan Vanderford keeping him out of the Hawks' season opener, senior Evan Quinn got the call, posting 10 saves against a strong BU side. Vanderford started every game for the Hawks in 2016, boasting a 10.09 goals against average and .499 save percentage.
But regardless of which goalie graces the crease Saturday afternoon, the Bulldogs will need their offense to step up and change the dialogue in a big way.
"We have to get going offensively," said Pressler. "The trend the last two games is not one we are too proud of right now. That said, we know it will be a very difficult task against this team. Succeeding in getting the ball more, especially through the faceoff, would certainly enhance those opportunities for us."
Saturday's game will face off at 3 p.m. and can be seen live and free-of-charge on NECFrontRow.com.
ALL AMERICA(N EAST)
In five games against a pair of America East opponents, senior captain and starting attack Tucker James (Essex Fells, N.J.) has collected 17 points on his career, a mark that includes 12 goals. In three games against the Hawks, he has found the back of the net eight times, including five last season, and has dished out four assists (12 points).
BRYANT vs. THE AMERICA EAST
All-time against current members of the America East, the Bulldogs are 7-4. All 11 contests have been played in the program's Division I era.
WE CAN OVERCOME
Bryant has started a season with a 1-2 or 0-3 record three times in its DI era, and the Bulldogs have found success at season's end each time. All three occasions – 2012, 2013 and 2015 – have ended in an NEC Tournament title, and the latter two resulted in appearances in the NCAA tournament.
THE CONSTITUTION OF BRYANT'S WINS
The Bulldogs have faced off against five different programs that call The Constitution State home, and Bryant is 19-9 all-time in those contests. The Black and Gold boast winning records against Hartford (3-0), Quinnipiac (4-1) and NEC foe Sacred Heart (10-0) and suffer losing margins against Fairfield (1-3) and perennially nationally ranked Yale (1-5).
