Bryant Outlasts Albany to Win America East Title in First Season

Aidan Goltz’s wraparound goal in the second overtime gave Bryant a 12-11 victory over Albany in the America East men’s lacrosse championship game.

BRYANT WINS IN 2OT @Bryant_MLax wins the @AmericaEast for the first time and is headed to the @NCAALAX tournament. pic.twitter.com/jmimBywvvX

— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) May 6, 2023

The victory gave Bryant (12-4) the league championship in its first year in the America East and gave a title to first-year head coach Brad Ross. Ross came to Bryant from Navy, but had previously been an assistant coach for Bryant for three Northeast Conference championship teams.

Albany was just 5-9 in the regular season, but then stunned top-seeded and host Vermont 10-4 in the semifinals on Thursday. The Danes fell behind 7-3 against Bryant, but then looked to keep the magic going, scoring the final three goals of the first half, including two in the final 37 seconds.

The momentum carried into the second half when Albany’s Thomas Decker scored less than two minutes into the third quarter to tie the game 7-7. From there, neither team led by more than a goal.

Back-to-back goals by Peter Salit and Parker Emmett gave Albany its first lead of the game, 9-8, midway through the third quarter. It took its final lead when Silas Richmond scored with just 2:14 left in regulation to go up 11-10.

Bryant’s Timmy Hackett scored with just 15 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.

Bryant won the faceoff to start the first overtime and got off a good shot, but Albany goalie Tommy Heller went low to make a save on Goitz. From there, things got sloppy. The teams combined for three turnovers in the first overtime period and no more shots were put on goal.

Bryant once again won the faceoff at the start of the second overtime period, but Albany’s Jake Piseno forced a turnover. The Danes were unable to clear the ball, however, setting up Bryant for the game-winner from Goltz.

Kevin Groeninger led Bryant with five goals and two assists while Goltz and Jack Lonsinger each scored twice. Teagan Alexander made 12 saves to earn the win.

Richmond and Alex Pfeiffer each scored three times for Albany and Decker had a goal and three assists. Heller made 10 saves.