Box Score FOLLETTE NETS GAME-WINNER IN 2OT TO LEAD BRYANT PAST FDU, 1-0
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After missing several opportunities to win in regulation, Shana Follette's (Plymouth, Mass.) rebound goal in the 105th minute gave the Bryant University women's team a much-needed 1-0 double overtime victory over Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday afternoon at Sutton Field.
At the moment, the victory has moved the Bulldogs (9-8, 4-4 NEC) into fourth place in the Northeast Conference standings, two points ahead of Sacred Heart. The ninth win is also the most victories in a season since moving to Division I. FDU dropped to 5-8-3 and 2-5-0 in the conference.
Sunday's contest was played with slick playing conditions and was dominated by the Black and Gold as they outshot the Knights 23-9. It was also a very physical game with the teams combining for 23 fouls and a pair of yellow cards.
Bryant's persistence finally paid off in the second OT. Graduate student Mary Green (Merrick, N.Y.) played a perfect ball to the end line for Kaitlyn Fare (Millstone Township, N.J.) who crossed into the box. The ball found Rachael Ivanicki (Colts Neck, N.J.) but her shot was denied by a diving Felicia Bur. She couldn't control the rebound, however, and after a scrum, Follette was able to poke it home for the game-winner.
The Bulldogs appeared poised to take the lead well before Follette's heroics but could not convert on a penalty kick in the 68th minute. Freshman Sarah Schucker (Nanuet, N.Y.) was sprung with a perfect ball but was taken down right as she entered the 18-yard box. The referee pointed for a penalty and the Bulldogs elected for senior Alex Bengston (Andover, Mass.) to take it. The goalie guessed wrong but Bengston's shot carried wide of the post and kept the game tied.
FDU's only real chance came with under a minute to play in the game but Lauren Viverito (Dayton, N.J.) was up to the challenge. Rachel Hoekstra was able to work free and fired a shot towards the far post but Viverito made a diving stop. The rebound sat in the area before the Black and Gold defense was able to clear it away.
"We made it a lot more difficult on ourselves than we needed to," head coach Chris Flint said. "We had to persevere and I give the girls a lot of credit. The Sunday is always tough in conference and we gutted it and got a huge win."
Looking for their first playoff appearance since joining the NEC, the Bulldogs have just two conference games remaining in the regular season. They will celebrate Senior Day this Friday, Oct. 19 when they host Robert Morris, before finishing the regular season the following Friday with a trip to Mount St. Mary's.
