BULLDOGS WIN THRILLER OVER ROBERT MORRIS, 2-1

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Sophomore Abigail Armstrong (Mahopac, N.Y.) tied the game with 12:39 remaining and junior Kayleigh Ballantyne (Gorham, Maine)  notched the game-winning goal with just 3:18 remaining as the Bryant University field hockey team earned a thrilling 2-1 victory over Robert Morris on Friday night at the Bryant Turf Complex.

The Colonials (3-10, 0-2 NEC) scored 2:47 into the second half but could not hold off the Bulldogs (5-9, 2-0 NEC) as the Black and Gold rallied for their third consecutive victory. It is the first time since 2010 season that Bryant has started 2-0 in conference play. That season, the Bulldogs started 3-0.

On Friday, the Black and Gold found themselves in a hole after Taleah Scott fired home a shot at the beginning of the second half. Following the marker, the Bulldogs picked up their offensive pressure and finally broke through on Armstrong's third goal of the year. Unsuccessful on their first nine penalty corners, the Black and Gold took advantage of their tenth. Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) fired the initial shot off the penalty corner, but was denied. Nicole Plante (Smithfield, R.I.) slid the rebound to Armstrong who knocked it just past Erin McKenzie to tie the game.

Buoyed by a pair of fantastic saves from Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine), the Bulldogs broke the deadlock just over 11 minutes later. The play started as MaKayla Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) lofted a high pass downfield to her sister Mallory Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) who carried the ball to the top of the circle. Hancock then passed the ball off to Bird who fired a shot toward the goal, tipped in by Ballantyne.

Early on, it appeared the Bulldogs wouldn't need any late game heroics. Within the first 15 minutes, Bird had two prime chances to give the Black and Gold a lead. She found herself one-on-one with McKenzie and decided to fire a shot from just inside the circle that was kicked away. Eight minutes later, McKenzie made two huge saves on consecutive shots as she turned and Bird on back-to-back shots.

Bryant had to withstand its own scare as well. A strong counterattack by the Colonials led to a breakaway opportunity. As the Colonial player crossed into the circle, Kelsey Hiltebeitel (Warminster, Pa.) came racing out of nowhere, dove and broke up the play before a shot could be taken. When the ball did get to the cage, Hancock was there, turning in a 10-save effort.

The Bulldogs will now look to sweep the weekend when they host Saint Francis (PA) on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 1:00 p.m. The Red Flash are also 2-0 in conference play this season.