Bulldogs falter vs. Sacred Heart, fall 2-1

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Sophomore Freya Ward (West Sussex, England) scored a goal and classmate Floor van Dommelen (Berg en Dal, Netherlands) fired two shots on goal, but the Bryant University field hockey team fell to the Sacred Heart Pioneers, 2-1, at Goldberger Family Field in Providence on Sunday afternoon. 

GAME INFORMATION

Sacred Heart 2, Bryant 1

Records: Sacred Heart (6-9, 2-1 MAAC) Bryant (3-13, 1-2 MAAC)

Location: Goldberger Family Field (Providence, R.I.)

COACH DE VRIES' COMMENTS

"First of all, this is not the weekend that we hoped for, results-wise," Bryant head field hockey coach Joppe de Vries said after the game. "I think we did fight like true 'Dogs. I am really proud of where this team has come from. We're here to compete, right now, every minute matters. I love the fight that they show. That results in close games. I can't wait to see this team in the tournament." 

KEY MOMENT

Sacred Heart's Marlena Koellner was able to redirect a shot into the upper right of the net to score SHU's game-winning goal.

SCORING SUMMARY

• 8th minute – Sacred Heart 0, Bryant 1 – Ward's goal came in the 14th minute on Bryant's first penalty corner of the afternoon. Senior Keighan Richardson (North Attleboro, Mass.) inserted the corner to stopper Victoria Newbill (Wilton, Maine). Newbill stopped the ball and set up van Dommelen's shot, where Ward skillfully redirected into the left of the net for the Bryant score.
• 30th minute –  Sacred Heart 1, Bryant 1 – Nichole Tolli scored her sixth goal of the season for the Pioneers on a Sacred Heart corner piece. After the corner was stopped by Koellner, Tolli danced at the top of the circle of the net to create space before firing a shot on goal for the score.
• 38th minute – Sacred Heart 2, Bryant 1 – Koellner's goal came at the start of the second half and proved to be the only score of the frame.

STATS/NOTES

• Freshman goalkeeper Lyndsay Swanston (Burlington, Ont.) stopped five Sacred Heart shots in the contest. The Pioneers sent 16 shots in Swanston's direction, but only eight on goal.
• Junior Leyna DiMarco (Glastonbury, Conn.) earned her third defensive save of the season. In the 49th minute, SHU's Lauren Lawson sent a shot toward the net. DiMarco moved to her left and was able to stand in way of the goal and collect the save. Sunday's game marked the eighth time this season that the Bulldogs have recorded a defensive save, which is more than the team has had since the three seasons total (seven).

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs will resume play on Saturday, Oct. 21 when they travel to the Empire State to square off with the Blackbirds of LIU Brooklyn in a MAAC contest. The game is scheduled for a Noon start and will be played at LIU Field.