Two losses to start Northeast Conference play loomed over the head of Central Connecticut lacrosse and this tough part of the schedule could not have come at a worse time. Facing off against Bryant, who sits undefeated at the other end of the spectrum, struggles on both ends of the ball continued to plague Central, as they fell by a score of 18-7 to the Bulldogs.

Fouls got the Blue Devils in trouble early, with four of the Bulldogs first five goals coming by way of free position shots. Central would draw four free position attempts of their own in the first half but only could capitalize on one of its attempts.

Free position attempts are far from the only way the Bulldogs know how to score. The Blue Devils would have a tall task defensively against a Bryant team that averages the second highest goals per game in the NEC (13.5).

Bryant would showcase its potent offense throughout most of the first half, scoring 13 goals on the Blue Devil defense. The first half shoot out is the second most goals allowed on the year, the first being a 16 piece left by Drexel.

Bryant’s fast-paced offense is lead by Jess DeMeo, who leads the NEC with 42 goals on the year. DeMeo did not disappoint against Central, scoring a team-high five goals on nine shots.

Similar to their game against Drexel, Central would put together a much more composed second half against Bryant.

Only five Bryant goals would fall in the second half of play, while Central would land three of their own. Two of the Blue Devils’ second-half goals came by way of sophomore Kaitlyn Rapp, who led Central with a hat trick of three goals. With her nine goals on 17 shot attempts this season, Rapp boasts a team-best 52.9 shooting percentage.

Central’s leading scorer on the year, senior Carson Adelberger, was able to add another goal to her season total, putting her total for the season at a team-best 17.

With the loss, Central now sits tied with Saint Francis (PA) for last in the NEC with an 0-3 record. Things won’t be getting easier anytime soon for the Blue Devils, as they will be taking the only other undefeated team in 3-0 Mount St. Mary’s before facing off against the reigning NEC Champion Wagner in their final home game of the season.

The Mountaineers have an even more impressive resume than the Bulldogs, showing early signs to be one of the best NEC teams on both sides of the ball.

The defense of Mount St. Mary’s has left opposing offenses without an answer, holding opponents to an NEC best 7.23 goals against per game. The Mountaineers also boast a conference bests in both saves and shot percentage, while narrowly edging out the Bulldogs for the highest scoring offense with 13.54 goals per game against opponents this year.

With only four games remaining in the short season, the Blue Devils have a lot of ground to make up, which starts by getting its first NEC win.