SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The second-seeded Bryant University women's soccer team is set to host third-seeded Maine in the America East Championship semifinals on Sunday, November 8, at Beirne Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs enter the postseason after a dominant 5-0 victory over UMass Lowell in their regular-season finale.

Opponent:  UMaine
Location: Beirne Stadium | Smithfield, R.I.
Kickoff: Sunday, November 8 – 4:30 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Sidearm

Postseason History:

• Sunday will be Bryant's seventh conference tournament appearance at the Division I level and its third consecutive America East Championship appearance.
• The Bulldogs are making their second consecutive America East semifinal appearance.
• Bryant has previously made four Northeast Conference Tournament appearances, reaching the semifinals in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021.
• The Black and Gold earned their first postseason semi-finals appearance in the America East in 2025, defeating UMass Lowell 4-3 in penalty kicks.
• Sunday's matchup marks the first time Bryant will host a conference tournament game at the Division I level.
• The Bulldogs are looking for their first conference championship game appearance since transitioning to Division I.

 
Series History:

• Sunday will be the 17th all-time meeting between Bryant and Maine.
• Maine leads the all-time series 10-4-2.
• The Bulldogs defeated the Black Bears 1-0 on October 22 at Beirne Stadium.
• Bryant and Maine finished tied for second in the America East standings with 4-2-2 conference records. The Bulldogs earned the No. 2 seed through the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Notes and Notables:

• Bryant enters Sunday's semifinal with a 6-6-4 overall record and a 4-2-2 mark in America East play.
• The Bulldogs earned the No. 2 seed in the America East Championship, their highest tournament seed since joining the conference.
• The Black and Gold are making their second consecutive appearance in the America East semifinals.
• Bryant secured a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the semifinals following a 5-0 victory over UMass Lowell in its regular-season finale.
• Five different Bulldogs scored against the River Hawks, with Morgan Nelson, Grayson Edwards and Ava Feeley each recording their first goals of the season.
• Senior Caitlin Forshay recorded three assists against UMass Lowell, tying Bryant's single-game program record.
• Bryant has recorded nine team shutouts this season, setting a new Division I program record and tying for second in program history.
• Senior Samantha Zaslaw leads the Bulldogs offensively with seven goals, two assists and 16 points. Zaslaw ranks third in Bryant's Division I single-season history in points and is tied for second in goals.
• Senior goalkeeper Shannon Mejia was named America East Goalkeeper of the Year and earned All-Conference First Team honors. Mejia has recorded eight individual shutouts this season, the most in Bryant's Division I history and tied for second in program history.
• Mejia holds a .829 save percentage and a 0.88 goals-against average entering the postseason. In America East play, Mejia has recorded a 0.51 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
• Zaslaw joined Mejia on the All-America East First Team, while defenders Colleen Ardolino and Whitney Vaillant earned Second Team honors.
• Head coach Andy Biggs and the Bulldogs' coaching staff were named America East Coaching Staff of the Year.

About the Black Bears

• Maine enters Sunday's matchup with an 8-5-4 overall record after finishing America East play at 4-2-2.
• The Black Bears earned the No. 3 seed in the America East Championship and are making their fifth consecutive semifinal appearance.
• Maine is seeking its fourth consecutive America East Championship title.
• Isabella Meadows leads the Black Bears with eight goals, two assists and 18 points this season.
• Goalkeeper Elena Barenberg has recorded 55 saves, a .775 save percentage and a 0.94 goals-against average.
• Luise Reinwald was named America East Midfielder of the Year.
• Reinwald, Meadows, Abbey Thornton and Olivia Grisdale were named to the All-America East First Team.

Championship Implications

• The winner of Sunday's semifinal will advance to the America East Championship final on November 14 or 15.
• The winner will face either top-seeded Binghamton or fifth-seeded UMBC.
• The championship match will be hosted by the higher remaining seed.