MAAC Champion Siena Lacrosse will travel to Northeast Conference Champion Bryant for an NCAA play-in game Wednesday at 4 pm in Smithfield, R.I.
The winner of the play-in will advance to face No. 2 team in the land, the Syracuse Orangemen, in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament Sunday at 7:30 pm on ESPNU.
The Siena Saints finished the season with an 11-5 record while defeating Canisius and Marist in the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Association tournament in order to win their conference.
The Saints were led by junior attackman Richie Hurley who scored 78 points this season including 34 goals and 44 assists. Goalie Tommy Cordts was also a leader for the Saints starting and playing in all 16 games this season and having a 9.79 goals against average.
“We’re extremely excited,” said head coach John Svec. “We didn’t know how things were going to fall (with the new NCAA Tournament format), but the fact that we get to practice tomorrow is the most important thing. Bryant is a great team and Coach Pressler has done a great job since he’s been there. They gave Syracuse a great, game last year (in the NCAA Tournament) and we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
Ranked 20th nationally this week in both the USILA Coaches’ Poll and Warrior Media Poll, Bryant is 14-4 overall after capturing their third straight NEC Championship. The Bulldogs boast three wins over nationally ranked opponents and a perfect 3-0 record against teams in the NCAA Tournament field with victories over Albany, Drexel and Richmond.
The Bulldogs finished the season with a 14-4 record and winning the NEC tournament by punishing Hobart College 10-4 in the title game.
The Bulldogs were led this season by sophomore attackman Shane Morrell who finished with 55 points consisting of 39 and 16 assists. Also finishing with great seasons were senior midfielder Colin Dunster who had 42 points and freshman attackman Tucker James who managed to score 41 points.
Wednesday’s game will be the first ever meeting between Siena and Bryant. The winner is to advance but unluckily will play the powerhouse of Syracuse University.
