October 16, 2009

Box Score

BULLDOGS EARN FIRST NORTHEAST CONFERENCE VICTORY, DEFEAT SACRED HEART 3-1

SMITHFIELD, RI - Led by freshman Jennifer Harding (Lancaster, Mass.) and junior Sarah Donovan (Storrs, Conn.), the Bryant University women's soccer team earned its first NEC victory Friday night, defeating Sacred Heart 3-1at the Bryant Turf Complex.

The Bulldogs improve to 3-9-0 overall and go to 1-4-0 in conference play. The Pioneers fall to 6-7-1 and 2-3-1 in the NEC.

Harding found herself in the right pl ace at the right time in the 35th minute when a ball bounced off a Pioneer defender and right to her right foot. The freshman was able to send the ball into the back left corner of the net to give the Bulldogs the 1-0 lead going into the half. It was her first-ever collegiate goal.

A set piece just five minutes into the second half led to the next Bulldog goal. Donovan sent a corner into the center of the box to an awaiting Alex DiPippo (Shelton, Conn.). The senior captain was able to get her head on the ball and shoot it into the upper right corner of the net. The goal was the first of DiPippo's senior campaign.

The Bulldogs kept the pressure on scoring again in the 62nd minute. Once again the goal was netted by freshman Jennifer Harding. Donovan was able to send a through-ball to Harding who beat the defender and Pioneer goalkeeper with her shifty moves and place the ball into the left side of the net. It was Harding's second goal and Donovan's second assist of the game.

Bryant was nearing the shutout but a late Pioneer goal in the 80th minute would bring the score to 3-1. Sacred Heart's Ashley Moore was able to gather a loose ball in front of the net and beat the Bulldogs freshman keeper Kelsi Jacob (Mahwah, N.J.) to the left.

Jacob recorded her first collegiate victory and had three saves. Senior Katie Mitchell (Deer Park, N.Y.) also recorded two saves in the contest.

The Bulldogs return to action in two days when they travel to Teaneck, N.J. to face the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights. The Knights are 2-11-0 overall and 0-5 in the NEC. The game is slated for Sunday at 1 p.m.