SMITHFIELD, R.I. – A three-goal run by the Bulldogs to close the third quarter and open the fourth ultimately decided the game as the Saint Joseph's men's lacrosse team dropped its Northeast Conference opener to Bryant, 8-7, at the Bryant Track and Turf Complex on Saturday afternoon. With the loss, the Hawks fall to 3-6 (0-1 NEC) while Bryant improves to 5-5 (1-1 NEC).

Saint Joseph's junior attackman Jason Kelly and senior midfielder Kevin Reidinger scored two goals apiece, while senior midfielder Ray Vandegrift dished out a pair of assists.

With the game tied 4-4 midway through the third quarter, Bryant put away back-to-back assisted goals to close the third (9:42, 4:59) and a third assisted goal to open the fourth to jump out to a 7-4 lead with 9:35 remaining in regulation.

Kelly (6:39), on a feed from Vandegrift, and Reidinger, on a feed from junior attackman Chris Blewitt, put the Hawks to within one with 3:33 to play.

Bryant won the ensuing possession off the face-off, but SJU's defensive unit caused a shot clock violation on the Bulldogs to regain possession at the 1:32 mark. However, a failed clear attempt by the Hawks would give possession back to Bryant, and Tucker James, who led all scorer with four points, tucked away his second goal of the day with 1:28 to play.

Saint Joseph's senior face-off specialist Danny Manning won the following face-off, and junior defenseman Austin Smith wasted no time in scooping up the ground ball and scoring his fifth of the year to put the Hawks back within one, 8-7, with 1:15 remaining in regulation.

Manning then won his ninth face-off of the day, and Smith scooped up his third ground ball to gain the crucial possession for the Crimson and Gray. However, a Hawk turnover out of the SJU timeout gave Bryant possession with 49 ticks to go.

Senior defenseman Shane Taggert caused Bryant's Tom Kennedy to turn the ball over and the Hawks cleared with 12 seconds to play, but SJU wouldn't be able to get a shot off before time expired.

For the game, Saint Joseph's held a 29-26 advantage in shots, while Bryant held a 24-23 edge in ground balls. Manning went 9-of-19 from the face-off, holding Bryant's Kenny Massa to below his average for the season, and matched a game-high four ground balls.

Senior goalkeeper T.J. Jones (3-6, 0-1 NEC) made nine saves, including four in the fourth quarter.

Bryant had jumped out to a 4-2 first-half advantage before junior midfielder Kyle Cain (12:08) and Kelly (10:30), assisted by Vandegrift, equalized the score, 4-4, to open the third.

Saint Joseph's returns home to host Robert Morris (6-3, 2-0 NEC) next Saturday, April 1. Opening face-off is slated for 1:00 p.m. on Sweeney Field. The Colonials are on a two-game win streak with NEC road victories over Sacred Heart, 12-9, and Mount St. Mary's, 11-10 (OT).