FIELD HOCKEY TOPS COLGATE, 4-3, IN OT BEHIND BIRD HAT TRICK

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Paced by a hat trick from junior forward Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand), the Bryant University field hockey team defeated Colgate, 4-3, Sunday afternoon in an overtime thriller at the Bryant Turf Complex.

Just under two minutes into the overtime period, senior midfielder Olivia Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.) broke away from the Raider defense, finding a wide open Bird who was able to beat Colgate keeper Amanda DiDomizio, giving Bryant (1-1) its first win of the 2013 season.

The Raiders (0-2) opened up Sunday's contest looking to put the pressure on the Bulldog defensive unit, breaking the scoreless tie at the 11:24 mark on Eliana Brown's second goal of the year. Just over 10 minutes later, senior Mallory Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) found Bird at the top of the circle, off a penalty corner, for the New Zealander's first tally of the afternoon.

After heading into halftime knotted at 1-1, senior defender MaKayla Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) hit Bird in front of the net on a beautiful helper from inside the circle at the 45:15 mark, granting Bryant its first lead of the game, 2-1.

The Raiders brought the score even once again off Brown's second of the day in the 55th minute, eventually taking the lead, 3-2, in the 59th minute on an Emily Brash unassisted tally.

Less than two minute later, Mallory Hancock controlled the ball inside the circle and was able to find a streaking Corinne Woods (Beverly, Mass.) for her first of the season, evening the score, 3-3.

In overtime, Jankins found Bird all alone in front of the Colgate cage as the junior put home her third score of the contest, helping Bryant to the 4-3 victory.

Bryant keeper Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) made six stops in her first win of the year, while DiDomizio stopped a pair of Bulldogs attempts, while falling to 0-2 with the loss.

In a great bounce-back performance by the Bulldogs, Bird recorded her first hat trick since Sept. 19, 2012 vs. Dartmouth. Looking forward, the Black and Gold  hit the road for a seven-game road stint beginning with a pair of Ivy League foes, Friday at Brown (4 p.m.) and Sunday at Harvard (1 p.m.).

For all the latest news on the Bryant University field hockey team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.