Bryant downs Lindenwood, 3-1, in season opener

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Brittany Gouws and Zoe Bates scored second-half goals to break a 1-1 tie and send the Bryant University field hockey team to a 3-1 victory over Lindenwood in its season opener on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday marks the first time since 2012 that the Black and Gold have started the season with a victory. 

Game Information
Bryant 3, Lindenwood 1
Records: Bryant (1-0) | Lindenwood (0-1)
Location: Maryland Heights, Mo.

Key Moment

• Bryant earned a penalty stroke and Gouws buried it to break a 1-1 deadlock in the third quarter.   

How it Happened

• The Bulldogs opened the scoring, converting a penalty corner. Lotte Guitink carried the ball to the right of the circle and fired a shot towards the cage. Clarke was able to redirect the shot for the goal. 
• Lindenwood drew even with a goal in the 34th minute. Alice Van Hemelen wristed home a shot off a penalty corner. 
• Seven minutes later, a scrum in front of the Lindenwood cage resulted in a penalty stroke. Gouws deftly fired into the low right corner to make it 2-1, Bulldogs.
• Bates closed the scoring, converting a beautiful pass from Natalie Griffin. Griffin slid the ball to Bates and Bates' shot snuck through the goalies pads. 

Bryant Notes and Notables

• Bryant won its season opener for the first time since 2012, a 3-2 win over Colgate. 
• Clarke's goal was her seventh as a Bulldog. 
• Gouws now has 13 career goals and 33 career points.
• Bates notched her second career goal. 
• Dieneke Hes recorded the victory in goal. She finished with six saves.
• Alexa Sedicino, Callie Caito, Claire Joss, Emma Rothkopf and Natalie Brown all made their Bryant debuts.  

Up Next
Bryant wraps up its opening weekend with a Sunday matchup against Saint Louis. First touch is set for 1:00 p.m. EST.