#LetsGetWEARE: Halloween weekend full of playoff implications for Bryant Athletics
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Headlined by the Northeast Conference Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Bryant University Athletics has an exciting and action-packed Halloween weekend in store.
The Bulldogs will host nine home events in the sports of women’s soccer, men’s soccer, field hockey, cross country, volleyball and swimming and diving over the course of three days, with eight of them carrying significant playoff implications.
With regular-season action winding down and crucial points for the Brenda Weare Commissioner’s Cup on the line, Bryant Athletics is asking all fans to come out, be loud and show your support. In addition, the Bulldogs are asking that all fans use the hashtag #LetsGetWEARE throughout the weekend as we continue our quest for a third-straight commissioner’s cup.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, October 30
Women’s Soccer vs. Central Connecticut – 3:00 p.m. (Bulldog Soccer Field)
Field Hockey vs. Rider – 7:00 p.m. (Bulldog Turf Complex)
Saturday, October 31
NEC Men’s Cross Country Race – 11:00 a.m. (Bulldog Stadium)
NEC Women’s Cross Country Race – 12:00 p.m. (Bulldog Stadium)
Volleyball vs. Fairleigh Dickinson – 1:00 p.m. (Chace Athletic Center)
Swimming and Diving vs. Iona – 2:00 p.m. (Chace Athletic Center Pool)
Sunday, November 1
Women’s Soccer vs. LIU Brooklyn – 11:00 a.m. (Bulldog Soccer Field)
Men’s Soccer vs. Fairleigh Dickinson – 1:00 p.m. (Bulldog Soccer Field)
Field Hockey vs. Monmouth – 1:00 p.m. (Bulldog Turf Complex)
Volleyball vs. Sacred Heart – 1:00 p.m. (Chace Athletic Center)
Cross Country
For the second time in four years the Bulldogs are hosting the NEC Cross Country Championships. Three years ago, Bryant laid claim to the top finisher on the women’s side and placed three on the All-NEC teams. This season, the Black and Gold are in search of their best finishes in program history and were tabbed second and third in their respective preseason polls.
Women’s Soccer
The Bulldogs are currently in fourth place in the NEC standings and would qualify for the NEC Tournament if it were to start today. Bryant has a one-point lead on Wagner and a two-point lead on Central Connecticut and Mount St. Mary’s. The Black and Gold can clinch their first postseason berth in DI program history with a pair of victories this weekend. In any other scenario, the Bulldogs will need some help from the rest of the conference. Bryant can still finish anywhere from 2nd to 5th in the league standings.
Field Hockey
Bryant is currently on the outside looking in but have a chance to make the MAAC tournament for the second time in program history. The Bulldogs must win both of their home games this weekend against Rider and Monmouth and will need Siena to lose both of its games.
Men’s Soccer
The Bulldogs are currently in sixth place in the league standings with two games to go. In order to have a shot at making their third-straight NEC Tournament appearance, the Black and Gold have to win their final two games beginning with Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday.
Volleyball
Enjoying their best season in DI history, the Bulldogs are currently tied for second in the NEC with a 7-2 record. Starting this weekend, Bryant has five games remaining on the season and with a win on Saturday could all but secure its ever DI postseason berth. The Black and Gold then face league-leading Sacred Heart on Sunday in a match that could determine who is the NEC Regular Season champion.
Other Bryant action
In addition to the key playoff matchups this weekend, the Bryant swimming and diving teams will host Iona on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the Chace Athletic Center Pool. It is the final home meet for the Bulldogs until January 2016.