Box Score
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite holding a whopping 26-8 advantage in shot attempts, the Bryant University field hockey team was unable to overcome a two-goal deficit, falling to Sacred Heart University on Friday night at the Bryant Track and Turf Complex.
The Bulldogs (7-9, 1-4 Northeast Conference) took an early lead on a goal from senior Emily Charpentier (Walpole, Mass.), who ripped a shot that found the left side of the cage at 11:16 to give the home team an early lead. But the Pioneers (5-11, 2-3 NEC) answered with three straight goals to close out the first half. Trailing by a goal, freshman Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) brought the Bulldogs within a goal at 53:42, but Sacred Heart withheld a late charge by the Black and Gold to secure the win.
With the loss, Bryant will require some help to qualify for the NEC Tournament for a second straight season, but can still get back in the playoff race with wins in their final two remaining regular-season games. Sacred Heart moves into a tie with Robert Morris for fifth place in the conference, as Quinnipiac and Saint Francis (PA) still hold the final two playoff spots after Friday night.
The Bulldogs were stonewalled by SHU goalkeeper Kim Stow, who totaled 10 saves in the game, with five in each period. Bryant senior Jennifer Gullotti (Waltham, Mass.) turned aside two shots in a losing effort.
Following Charpentier's goal, Sacred Heart strung together three straight tallies to pull ahead, 3-1. First, Lindsay Kasten took a centering pass from Sarah Bergman and buried it at the left post to draw the Pioneers even in the 20th minute.
Shortly after, it was Alex Melillo scoring on a penalty corner off passes from Nikki Kimborowicz and Kim Pobutkewicz at 26:28 of the first frame. The Pioneers would wrap up the first half with their third and final goal at 33:39, when Kimborowicz drilled a shot home off another penalty corner.
But the Bulldogs came roaring back to the start the second, keeping play in the Sacred Heart circle for the majority of the frame. Bryant outshot the Pioneers 14-3 in the second half alone, and held a commanding 6-2 lead in penalty corners.
After several near-misses, Bird finally brought the home team within one at 53:42. Sophomore Mallory Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) sent in a hard cross from the right corner that rolled all the way to the left post, where a charging Bird positioned herself to bury it. It was Bird's team-leading 14th goal of the season.
Still trailing by one, the Bulldogs continued to up the pressure in the final 15 minutes of the game, but were turned away time and time again by Stow, who at one point made back-to-back saves on two shots from point-blank range, and made several pad saves off penalty corners to keep Bryant off the board.
With less than two minutes remaining, Gullotti was pulled for an extra attacker, but Bryant was held in check in the waning moments of the game, as the Pioneers held on to spoil the program's Senior Night celebration.
Before the game, head coach Shaunessy Saucier honored the team's five seniors who were playing in their final game at Bulldog Stadium this season. Among them were Katherine Andrusin, Charpentier, Gullotti, Courtney Landi and Karlie Tiscia.
The Bulldogs will look to rebound in a must-win game on Sunday afternoon, when they travel to Hamden, Conn., to take on Quinnipiac. Game time is set for 12 p.m.
For continuing coverage of Bryant University field hockey, check back at www.bryantbulldogs.com, and be sure to follow the Bulldogs on Twitter @BryantAthletics.
