SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant field hockey team opens the 2024 season with a pair of games at Steven '69 and Lily Cowen Field this weekend. Bryant welcomes Fairfield on Friday (3:00 p.m.) before closing out the weekend on Sunday against Providence (12:00 p.m.).

This marks the first time since 2013 that the Black and Gold will open the season at home and with consecutive home games. In 2013, Bryant hosted UAlbany at Providence College and Colgate at the Bryant Track & Turf Complex. Coincidentally, those games were also played on Aug. 30 and Sept. 1. 

Game Information

Date: Friday, August 30
Opponent: Fairfield
Location: Smithfield, R.I. (Cowen Field)
Time: 3:00 PM
Live Stats: Sidearm
Video: AE.tv

Date: Sunday, September 1
Opponent: Providence
Location: Smithfield, R.I. (Cowen Field)
Time: 12:00 PM
Live Stats: Sidearm
Video: AE.tv

Series History

• Fairfield owns a 9-1 record in the all-time series. The Stags have won each of the last seven meetings, including a 5-0 win last year in Fairfield.
• Bryant's lone win came in 2016 as Emily Perryman scored in overtime to lift the Bulldogs to a 2-1 victory. 
• Providence owns a 6-0 record vs Bryant since the Bulldogs jumped to Division I. The Friars earned a 1-0 victory last season.

Bulldog Notes and Notables

• Bryant is coming off an 8-9 overall record in 2023. The Bulldogs closed the year with three-straight victories, including triumphs over Stanford and UC Davis. 
• The Bulldogs have won 13 games combined over the last two seasons which is more than the total number of wins in the five previous seasons combined.
• This weekend marks the opening of a six-game homestand to start the year for Bryant. The Black and Gold will play 12 total home games, a DI program record, this fall.
• Bryant will have to replace three double-digit scorers from a season ago in Brittany Gouws (7-4-18), Taryn Rauff (5-8-18) and Olivia Clarke (4-2-10).
• Junior Natalie Griffin is the highest scoring returner and is coming off an 11-point (3g, 5a) season. 
• Bryant will also have to replace starting goalie Dieneke Hes. Hes posted a .677 save percentage and a 2.48 goals against average but started all but five (31-of-36) of the teams games over the last two years.
• Bryant welcomes a 10-member freshmen class, tied for the largest rookie class in DI program history. Add in sophomore transfer Sara DeSousa and the Bulldogs have 11 new members.

A bit about Fairfield

• Fairfield won the Northeast Conference Regular Season title with a perfect 7-0 league record a season ago. The Stags finished 14-4 overall, falling to Wagner in the NEC Semifinals.
• The Stags will have to replace three of their top five scorers from a season ago. Alex Senior leads all returners with eight goals and two assists last season.
• Fairfield does return both goalies from last season. Payton Rahn ranked ninth nationally in GAA and 12th nationally in save percentage.  

A bit about Providence

• Providence went 10-8 overall and 3-4 in the Big East last season.
• The Friars return 17 players this season led by four who scored in double figures a year ago. 
• Ally DeCoste recorded 21 points on nine goals and three assists, while Celia Prevez notched six goals and four assists.