Bulldogs fall to Bobcats, 3-0

FIELD HOCKEY DROPS 3-0 DECISION TO QUINNIPIAC ON SENIOR DAY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite a valiant effort on Senior Day, the Bryant University field hockey team fell, 3-0, to Quinnipiac on Sunday afternoon.

With the defeat, the Bulldogs (6-13) finish conference play at 3-4, one spot shy of a Northeast Conference Tournament berth. The Bobcats improve to 5-2 in the NEC, earning the fourth and final spot in the NEC Tournament.

In a contest that determined the final playoff spot in the NEC Tournament, the visitors wasted little time getting on the board. Less than three minutes into the game, Danielle Allan fired the ball toward the goal from just inside the circle. Junior Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) made the initial stop, but Christa Romano corralled the ball to tip it past Hancock to grant the Bobcats the 1-0 lead.

The Bulldogs had multiple chances throughout the game but the stingy Quinnipiac defense and tough goaltending by Nicole Lewis kept the home team off the board.

Just before the half, Jess Rusin collected a rebound in front of the net and beat Hancock to double the Bobcat lead to 2-0.

The visitors would add one more goal at the 56:28 mark, when Allan and Romano connected once more to end the contest, 3-0, in favor of Quinnipiac.

Hancock stopped five shots in her 19th start of the season, while Lewis made seven saves, earning her fourth shutout this year. Hancock played every single minute in goal for the Bulldogs this season, recording over 1,300 minutes.

Both teams registered 11 shots in the game, with the Bulldogs earning eight penalty corners to the Bobcats five. Sophomore Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) and junior Kayleigh Ballantyne (Gorham, Maine) each recorded two shots on goal.

Before the game, Bryant honored four Bulldog seniors, Elise Driscoll (Harwich, Mass), Rachel Blitz (Riverwoods, Ill.), Chiedza Mawama (Harare, Zimbabwe), and Brittany Vasconcelos (Tiverton, R.I.) who played in their final home game Sunday afternoon. These four seniors helped the Bulldogs close out their 2012 season at .500 through their last eight games, earning four of their six wins in the month of October.

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