SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University field hockey team has an opportunity to become the first program in school history to clinch a Division I postseason berth Friday night, and it will happen at home.

When the Bulldogs (6-11, 3-2 Northeast Conference) take on Quinnipiac (7-8, 3-2) at 7 p.m. Friday at the Bryant Turf Complex, they will be hoping to celebrate senior night – the final home game for the five seniors on the squad – by securing a Northeast Conference tournament berth.

Elise Boissoneau is one of five seniors playing in their last home field hockey game for the Bulldogs.

Senior forwards Elise Boissoneau (Ashburnham, Mass.), Alex Guisti (Walpole, Mass.) and Toby Maltz (Walpole, Mass.), and defenders Brittany Glenn (Easthampton, Mass.) and Julie Kuchyt (Hatfield, Mass.) will be honored prior to playing their final match in front of the home crowd. The five have all played key roles as the Bulldogs made the transition to DI but have little time to celebrate as they try to take the program to the next level by advancing to the conference tournament.

The field hockey team, along with men's lacrosse, was one of the two programs "fast-tracked" by Bryant Athletics, allowing them to complete the Division I transition in just two years. The Bulldogs would make history with a win, locking up an NEC tournament appearance in their first opportunity. Bryant, slated in the preseason coaches' poll to finish fourth in the conference, has lived up to the expectations, winning its first three conference games and extending an overall winning streak to five games before falling to conference leaders Rider and Monmouth in two tight games last weekend.

Bryant is now in a position to lock up the third seed in the conference tournament with a victory on its home turf. Currently tied for third-place with the Bobcats, a victory would give the Bulldogs the head-to-head tiebreaker, even if Quinnipiac re-knotted the conference mark in the season finale Sunday. Last season, Bryant defeated Quinnipiac, 2-0, at the Bryant Turf Complex. Bryant was ineligible for postseason play and the Bobcats went on to clinch the third seed.

This season is different. Bryant now has everything to play for and sits in a great position to be one of the four teams to make the NEC tournament, held November 5-6 at the site of the highest seed. Though a win Friday would secure third, besting preseason predictions, the Bulldogs would still secure a spot despite a loss if they win their final game of the season at Sacred Heart (3-12, 1-4 entering Friday action) on Sunday. Even in the worst case scenario of two weekend losses, the Bulldogs could still qualify if Saint Francis (PA), Robert Morris and Sacred Heart all fail to win out their final two games.

Regardless of the potential scenarios, the Bulldogs will want to secure their fate by winning Friday and give the home crowd something to cheer about. Those in attendance at the match will not only have a chance to potentially witness Bryant Athletics history and celebrate the collegiate careers of five seniors, but also have the opportunity to win an Apple iPad.