Bulldogs, Bears collide on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the capital

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – On very familiar turf, the Bryant University women's field hockey team squares off with Brown on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. in the Bulldogs' last game before heading into conference play.

"This is really exciting for us," said head coach Shaunessy Saucier. "We have made some changes and are still working out some small kinks in this last game before conference. This game is very important in regards to how we are going to play once conference hits, how we are going to jell together and how we're going to play when we are feeling more pressure."

The Bulldogs (0-9) have played every "home" game this season at the Bears' (4-2) Goldberg Family Field, making this away game feel much more like a home contest.

"We are playing on Brown's field," said Saucier. "We are comfortable from playing there a lot, but that is Brown's field; they're the home team and we are respecting of that."

The Bulldogs are entering the contest after a 5-2 loss last Sunday to Columbia. Aside from playing at Dartmouth this coming Saturday, the Bears host the Bulldogs with a four-game winning streak in tow. Brown's wins include defeats over the MAAC's Rider, 2-1, and Sacred Heart, 5-2. Most recently, the Bears beat Columbia, 3-2, in overtime thanks to a Katarina Angus score, her second on the year.

Bruno is led by senior Lucy Green and sophomore Ellie Seid with seven points, respectively. Both athletes have accumulated their points off three goals and one assist. Sophomore goalie Katie Hammaker has started all six games for the Bears, posting one shutout, 31 saves and a .705 save percentage.

"Their goalie is aggressive," said Saucier. "She comes out a lot and plays pretty high in the circle, so we are going to have to connect passes in our own attacking circle and not just take shots from the top of the circle. Their centerback sees a lot of lanes and serves a good long ball to start their attack, so we are going to be aware of her as a weapon, shutdown lanes and apply high pressure."

Bryant sophomore keeper Marissa Elizardo (New Wales, Pa.) has wrangled in 46 saves in her nine starts and posts a .639 save percentage. Senior forward Victoria Danby (Lancaster, Mass.) is coming off a two-goal outing against Columbia, as she leads the Bulldogs with seven points off three goals and one assist. The forward was assisted on both goals by freshman Floor van Dommelen (Berg en Dal, Netherlands), who is second to Danby with six points off two goals and two assists.

"Victoria Newbill (Wilton, Maine) has worked her way into the starting lineup which has added another spark in our attack," said Saucier. Newbill has started 4-of-9 games, recording three shots.

"It's always a very exciting game against Brown," said Saucier. "It is high tempo and gets physical at times. We are going to have to come ready to play."

Action is set to begin on Sunday at 1 p.m. Fans can follow along with live stats and video at bryantbulldogs.com.