NORTH ANDOVER, M.A. – The women's lacrosse team took on Bryant University in an intense in-conference battle. Bryant came into the game as a heavy favorite, being that they are the conference leaders, but the Warriors made the Bulldogs work for this one.
Prior to the start of the game, the Warriors dedicated this game to Morgan Rodgers – a former Duke University women's lacrosse player who tragically lost her battle with mental health. Through the game dedication, the Warriors raised awareness for Morgan's Message – an organization created in Morgan's honor to help decrease the stigma against mental health, and ensure others do not feel alone in their fight.
The Basics:
Score:
Bryant 22, Merrimack 12
Records: Merrimack 4-10, 4-2 NEC, Bryant 10-2, 6-0 NEC
How it happened:
1
st quarter:
- The Warriors got the Bulldogs on their toes early, as Taylor Darrell got the offense going first with a free position goal
- The two teams would alternate goals from there, with Sophie Scearbo adding one in between the visiting team's tallies
- Score at end of 1st: 4-3 Merrimack
2
nd quarter:
- Bryant came into the second quarter with an offensive presence that could be expected from a conference leader, scoring four unanswered.
- Catherine Mahanna would serve the response, whipping one by Bryant's goalie to cut the Warriors' deficit to two.
- Just as in the precious quarter, these NEC teams traded goals, with Dzialo finding her second of the day.
- The Bulldogs would break up this pattern by adding another goal with just over 20 seconds left in the half.
- Score at end of 2nd: 10-6 Bryant
3
rd quarter:
- Bryant came out fast out of the gate, scoring within the first 16 seconds of the quarter. They would score again just a minute later before the Warriors were able to respond.
- Darrell would add her second of the day on a dash towards net from the top of the arch.
- Hayley Kowalczyk was called for a foul that would take her out of net, and the Bulldogs would have no problem taking advantage of this opportunity.
- Dzialo would earn a hat trick about halfway through the quarter, to help close the gap.
- Bryant found the cruise control button offensively, scoring four in a row, each no more than a minute apart.
- Valdes would be awarded a free position, which she would capitalize on to cut the Bulldogs' margin by one. Dzialo would add another to her day's total, scoring with just 12 seconds remaing in the quarter.
- Score at end of 3rd: 17-10 Bryant
4
th quarter:
- Bryant again led the way with five goals.
- The Warriors would add two by Mahanna and Darrell before closing this one out.
Final Score: 22-12 Bryant
Up next:
The Warriors will hit the road for the final time this season, as they head to Brooklyn, N.Y. to take on the LIU Sharks. Game time is set for 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 23 at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium.
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For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter, Instagram and on Facebook.
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