Bulldogs drop opener to La Salle on Friday

SMITHFIELD/PROVIDENCE – Olivia Clarke scored her first-career goal but a three-goal fourth quarter lifted La Salle to a 4-1 victory over the Bryant University field hockey team in the season opener for both teams on Friday. 

It was a wild opener as the game started at 4:00 p.m. on Bryant's campus in Smithfield but was halted due to lightning with 1:25 left in the first quarter. After a lengthy delay in Smithfield, the two teams drove to Providence and completed the game on the campus of Providence College. The game resumed at 8:24, four hours after it was halted.     

GAME INFORMATION
La Salle 4, Bryant 1
Records: Bryant (0-1) | La Salle (1-0)
Location: Smithfield, R.I. and Providence, R.I.

KEY MOMENT

• Tatum Johnson's second goal of the game just over five minutes into the fourth quarter broke a 1-1 tie.         

HOW IT HAPPENED

Friday's opener began evenly matched and went to the half tied at 0-0. Johnson, however, opened the scoring as she was able to collect a ball in the circle and stuff it home. 

Bryant was able to tie the game just under five minutes later. On the second of consecutive penalty corners, Taryn Rauff had her shot stopped but Clarke was there for the rebound. She collected the ball and calmly flipped over the goalie and into the back of the net. 

La Salle would score three times in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Johnson was able to put home a rebound to make it 2-1 and Sofia Pla converted a stroke to make it 3-1. Cat McFadden closed the scoring for the Lancers.  

BULLDOGS NOTES AND NOTABLES

• Playing in her first game with the Bulldogs, Clarke scored her first-career goal. 
• Rauff finished with a team-high three shots on goal. 
• Dieneke Hes made her first-career start between the pipes, stopping 11 shots. 
• In addition to Hes, Lauren Rothwell, Natalie Griffin and Zoe Bates all made their collegiate debuts on Friday.  

Up Next
The Bulldogs travel to Lafayette on Sunday for a 3:30 p.m. start.