SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University Men's Lacrosse fell to Merrimack on Saturday by a final score of 16-14.

With the loss, the Bulldogs are eliminated from playoffs on tiebreakers. Bryant finishes the season with a 9-5 overall record and 4-3 in conference play.

Game Information
Bryant 16, Merrimack 14
Records: Bryant 9-5, 4-3  Merrimack 6-8, 4-3
Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I.)

Key Moment

• Merrimack would go on a 10-2 run in the first half and carry a 12-8 lead into the half.

How it Happened

• Johnny Hackett got the scoring underway in Smithfield with an unassisted goal at the 14 minute mark in the first.

• Merrimack quickly countered as Brian Bouwman and Joey Ford III both scored within two minutes of each other.

• Kevin Groeninger would then connect on back-to-back scores after being assisted by Aidan Goltz and Johnny Hackett.

• John Tomsheck would then scramble towards the cage and drop in a goal to extend Bryant's lead to two. 

• Following two goals of his own, Kevin Groeninger would spread the wealth and feed Timmy Hackett to put the Bulldogs up 5-2.

• Merrimack's Kasey Mongillo would then score three consecutive goals for the Warriors to tie things up at the end of 1.

• The second quarter would see Bryant's Johnny Hackett fake out a defender and score while falling to the turf.

• Mongillo would even things up again with his second unassisted goal of the afternoon.

• The Warriors would go man-up on the Bulldogs and take the lead as Jack Rooney would find Jack Kolbe to give Merrimack a 7-6 advantage.

• Brian Russell would add on for the Warriors and give Merrimack an 8-6 lead with under nine to play in the first half.

• Johnny Hackett would cut into the lead with his second goal of the day and bring the score to 8-7.

• Merrimack would proceed to go on a 4-1 run to end the half and lead 12-8 after 30 minutes.

• Aidan Goltz would try to get the Bulldogs going in the third after sneaking a shot past defender to cut Bryant's deficit to three.

• After hard fought defense from Bryant's side, Merrimack's Brian Russell would find Trace Hogan and reestablish the four goal lead. 

• Karl Sutter would then take the next faceoff to the house in three second to put Merrimack up five to end the third quarter.

• Aidan Goltz would start off hot for Bryant in the fourth scoring two goals. The first at the 13 minute mark and assisted by Will Ronan. The second coming at 9:18 via a Dawson Rielly assist while man-up.

• Johnny Hackett would go airborne post his fourth score and make it a two goal game with 8:29 to play.

• The Warriors would then answer with two goals of their own, coming from Brian Bouwman and Jack Kolbe.

• Kevin Groeninger would complete his hat trick after being assisted by Timmy Hackett with under two minutes to go.

• With under a minute to play Will Ronan would pick off a pass from Merrimack and deliver a goal into the back of the empty cage.

Stats

• Bryant outshot the Warriors 57-41 on Saturday.

• The Bulldogs converted 18-19 clear attempts.

• The Black and Gold won the faceoff margin, going 19-33 at the X.

• Bryant won the ground ball margin against Merrimack (36-28).

• The Bulldogs were 2-2 in man-up opportunities.

Game Notes

• This is the first game that Bryant and its opponent have combined for 30 or more goals (Last: May 14th, 2023 at Johns Hopkins).

• Kevin Groeninger and Aidan Goltz both notched their 30th goals of the season on Saturday. Groeninger ended the season with 31 while Goltz finished with 32.

• Johnny Hackett led the team in points 5 (4g, 1a).

• Merrimack's Henry Vogt made 20 saves in net.

• Will Ronan led non-faceoffs with 6 ground balls. He also posted a goal and an assist.