Bulldogs fall to Fairfield, 3-2, Friday afternoon

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Fairfield University scored twice in a 13-minute span during the second half and held on for a 3-2 victory over the Bryant University field hockey team on Friday afternoon.

GAME INFORMATION

Fairfield 3, Bryant 2

Records: Bryant (3-12, 1-1 MAAC), Fairfield (4-10, 2-1 MAAC)

Location: University Field (Fairfield, Conn.)

COACH DE VRIES' COMMENTS

"We will take a lot of positives back to Bryant today. I love the fight that the girls showed. With that comes the belief that we can good hockey! Now it's time to prepare for Sunday. I know the girls can't wait to play again!"

KEY MOMENT

After four penalty corners in the first 12 minutes of the second half, the Stags converted on their fifth to take a 2-1 lead. Freshman goalie Lyndsay Swanston (Burlington, Ont.) made the initial save on the corner but Hannah Pike was able to knock home the rebound.

SCORING SUMMARY

• 4th minute – Fairfield 1, Bryant 0 – The Stags wasted little time, scoring on their first penalty corner of the game. Pike inserted and Cassie Hughes finished off the goal to make it 1-0.
• 19th minute – Fairfield 1, Bryant 1 – The Bulldogs tied the game up thanks to freshman Ally Burdick's (Cambridge, N.Y.) second goal of the season. Classmate Kylie Nelson (Searsmont, Maine) took the first shot and was denied, but Burdick cleaned up the rebound to tie it.
• 47th minute – Fairfield 2, Bryant 1 – Swanston denied the first shot from Jamie Appelberg but Pike was able to slot home the rebound to give the Stags the lead.
• 60th minute – Fairfield 3, Bryant 1 – Corrine Persichetti crossed the ball and Danielle Profita redirected it home to give the Stags a 3-1 lead.
• 66th minute – Fairfield 3, Bryant 2 – Junior Emily Perryman (Lebanon, N.H.) pulled the Black and Gold within one as she buried an unassisted goal with under four minutes to play in the game.

STATS/NOTES

• Fairfield outshot Bryant, 20-6, in the game. The Stags also held a 14-2 advantage in penalty corners.
• Swanston finished with 12 saves for the Bulldogs. She has now made 10+ saves in three-straight games.
• Bryant had two defensive saves in the game. Senior Keighan Richardson (North Attleboro, Mass.) and freshman Madison Demand (Waretown, N.J.) each picked up one.
• The Black and Gold are now just 1-7 on the road this season.

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs return to Brown's Goldberger Family Field on Sunday when they welcome Sacred Heart. Sunday's game will start at 4:00 p.m. and will be streamed live on NECFrontRow.com.