SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant field hockey team continues its season-opening six-game homestand as it welcomes La Salle (Friday) and Sacred Heart (Sunday) to Cowen Field this weekend.
Friday is set for a 3:00 p.m. start, while Sunday will get underway at 12:00 p.m. The Bulldogs split their first two games last weekend, defeating Fairfield, 2-1, before falling to Providence, 2-1.
Game Information
Date: Friday, September 6
Opponent: La Salle
Location: Smithfield, R.I. (Cowen Field)
Time: 3:00 PM
Live Stats: Sidearm
Video: AE.tv
Date: Sunday, September 8
Opponent: Sacred Heart
Location: Smithfield, R.I. (Cowen Field)
Time: 12:00 PM
Live Stats: Sidearm
Video: AE.tv
Series History
- La Salle owns a 6-1 edge in the all-time series vs Bryant. The Explorers have won each of the last six meetings after Bryant's 4-1 win in 2011.
- Sacred Heart owns an 8-5 lead in the all-time series vs Bryant.
- The Pioneers have won each of the last five meetings. Bryant's last win in the series came in 2016.
Bulldog Notes and Notables
- Bryant split its opening weekend with a 2-1 win over Fairfield and a 2-1 loss to Providence.
- With its win over Fairfield, the Bulldogs have now opened each of the last two seasons with a victory.
- All three Bryant goals were scored by underclassmen last weekend. Sophomores Callie Caito and Alexa Sedicino and freshman Filou Verhoeven all scored their first collegiate goals.
- Sara DeSousa and Maud van Lierop split each of the first two games in goal, with DeSousa playing the first half and van Lierop the second.
- DeSousa posted six saves and did not allow a goal in her two appearances.
A bit about La Salle
- La Salle opened its season with victories over Wagner (2-1) and Queens (4-1).
- Zhao Rodrigo had big weekend, finishing with six points (2g, 2a) in the first two games.
- Abby Boggs started both games in goal for the Explorers.
A bit about Sacred Heart
- Sacred Heart is the defending Northeast Conference champion. It marked the Pioneers first title since 2005.
- The Pioneers opened the 2024 season with 2-1 and 3-0 losses to Drexel and Villanova.
- Samantha Maresca returns in goal after ranking fifth nationally with 6.14 saves per game last season.
- Sacred Heart, however, lost each of its top three scorers from a season ago.
