Bulldogs wrap up league play against Hawks and Saints this weekend

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After recording two-straight league wins, the Bryant University field hockey team currently sits second in the MAAC standings as the team heads into the final weekend of conference play on the road against top-ranked Monmouth on Friday before hosting Siena on Sunday for Senior Day.

The Bulldogs (3-11, 3-1 MAAC) are off to their best league start since 2013 which also marks the last time the Black and Gold made the conference postseason. The 2013 team finished 4-2 in conference play, splitting games in their last weekend of league play before losing to No. 2 Quinnipiac in the semifinals.

"We are doing what we have done all season and keeping our focus on our performance and not on the results," said head coach Shaunessy Saucier. "We are taking one game at a time and not trying to look too far ahead."

Bryant faces off first against Monmouth on Friday at 4 p.m. The Hawks (12-2, 3-0) remain the only undefeated team in conference and one-of-two MAAC teams with a winning record. As a unit, Monmouth holds the top spot in 12 statistical categories in the league, as individuals account for 12, as well.

The Hawks are led offensively by junior Julie Laszlo, whose 30 points off 11 goals and eight assists leads the league. Laszlo is accompanied by teammate senior Alyssa Ercolino as one of the league's top-point holders with 26 off nine goals and eight assists. Christen Pieranti has seen the most time in goal, starting all 14 games she has appeared in. The junior holds the MAAC's top goals against average at 1.19, totaling 56 saves and a league-best seven shutouts.

The Bulldogs then host the Saints (3-9, 2-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. for Senior Day. After winning two-straight league games, Siena enters the contest off a 4-1 loss to Fairfield. The Saints currently sit tied for fourth with Rider in the MAAC standings. Goalie Mary Crumlish's 109 saves this season have helped the Saints to the top spot in saves (119) and saves per game (9.92). The freshman has started all 12 games, allowing 3.63 goals per game. Offensively, the Saints are led by both Fariyah Omarshah and Ashley Dona with 14 points, respectively. Omarshah has tallied six goals and two assists, while Dona has recorded five and four.

"We've been improving some part of our game in every competition we've had this year," said Saucier. "We are putting all the pieces together and are hoping for a really great performance on Friday and Sunday."

The Bulldogs begin action in West Long Branch on Friday at 4 p.m. and fans can follow along with live stats on bryantbulldogs.com.