Men's soccer announces 2017 campaign

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Head men's soccer coach Seamus Purcell and staff have put together a competitive 2017 campaign, comprising of eight non-league matches followed by seven Northeast Conference games.

Bryant will face 15 teams from seven different conferences, including the America East, CAA, Ivy League, Big East, A-10, Sun Belt and NEC.

The Bulldogs begin the 2017 season with a trip to the mid-Atlantic region, taking on UMBC and Delaware on Aug. 25 and 27. 

"This will be the first-ever matchups against these two schools and will be a great opportunity to play two challenging programs," said associate head coach Nate Millette. 

Last season the Retrievers went 3-5-2 at home, finding wins over Monmouth, George Washington and Howard. The Blue Hens finished the 2016 season at 12-8-1, including a 5-3 record in the CAA. Delaware's success in the regular season propelled them to a postseason berth where they earned two-straight 2-1 decisions over Charleston and William & Mary en route to a CAA Title. The Blue Hens drew Providence in the first round of the NCAA Tournament where they were dealt a 2-0 loss. Another notable game from last season was Delaware's 3-2, double-overtime loss to then No. 1 Maryland at the end of the regular season.

The Bulldogs return from opening weekend with a three-game series against in-state competitors Brown, Providence and Rhode Island. The Black and Gold will open play on their home pitch against the Bears on Sept. 1 at 4 p.m., as they look for revenge from last year's 1-0 second half decision.

Bryant heads to the capital on Monday, Sept. 4 for a 7 p.m. kickoff against the Friars. Last season, the Bulldogs were dealt a 1-0 loss to PC at home. Providence went on to finish the season 15-7, including NCAA wins over Delaware, Maryland and Creighton. The Friars met No. 9 North Carolina in the NCAA semifinals where they were upended, 1-0, in 102nd minute off a 25-yard strike from Drew Murphy.

Bryant closes out the local matches against Rhode Island on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. in Kingston. The Bulldogs are 1-4-2 all-time against the Rams, winning the most recent meeting, 2-1, last season in Smithfield. After taking a 1-0 lead, the Rams tied the contest in the first half, but recent graduate Curtis Orth (Ancaster, Ont.) sealed the Bulldogs' victory off a free kick from the top of the box in the 57th minute.

The Bulldogs follow with three matches against programs from New York. The Black and Gold begin with their second home match of the season against Stony Brook on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. The Bulldogs and Seawolves last met in 2010, in which Stony Brook edged out the Black and Gold, 2-1, on Long Island.

Bryant then hits the road on back-to-back weekends, facing Fordham on Saturday, Sept. 23 and Hartwick the following Saturday at 5 p.m. Fordham last hosted the Bulldogs during Bryant's transition year in 2008, in which the Rams won, 3-1. Last season, the Bulldogs were dealt a 3-0 loss to Hartwick on the road, but the Black and Gold maintain a 2-1 edge over the Hawks in Division I.

"Our very strong out of conference schedule will prepare us for an exciting seven-match quest for the NEC Tournament," said Millette. 

The Bulldogs begin their conference season at home against Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday, Oct. 6 at 3 p.m. Last season, the Knights netted two goals within a 40-second span to win 2-0 over Bryant in Teaneck.

Bryant follows with a weekend in PA, beginning with Robert Morris on Friday Oct. 13 and Saint Francis U. on Sunday. In 2016, Bryant handed the Colonials a 3-0 blow in Smithfield, firing off a season-high 20 shots. Recent graduate Pedro-Lucas Ferreira (East Boston, Mass.) and then-freshman Victor Rey (Lincoln, R.I.) each placed one in the back of the net for the Bulldogs.

The Black and Gold drew even against the Red Flash last season, 1-1. No. 2 Saint Francis U. went on to fall to No. 1 Saint Francis Brooklyn in the NEC Finals after going 4-1-2 in league play.

The following Sunday, Oct. 22, the Bulldogs host Sacred Heart at noon. The Pioneers claimed the final spot in last year's postseason tournament where they fell to the Terriers, 1-0, in the semis. In 2016, SHU claimed a 3-2 overtime win over the Bulldogs after coming back from a two-goal deficit to tie the game with four seconds remaining in regulation.

The Bulldogs hit the road in late October for their Brooklyn tour, first taking on LIU Brooklyn on the 27th before facing NEC reigning champion St. Francis Brooklyn on the 29th. The Blackbirds and Bulldogs have historically played each other tight as LIU leads the all-time series record 4-3-2, including last year's double-overtime tie in Smithfield.

In similar fashion, the Black and Gold drew the Terriers even, 0-0, on Senior Day last season. The tie was the only mark against the Terriers as they won their six other conference games en route to the No. 1 seed in the tournament. After winning the NEC Championship, St. Francis Brooklyn faced Dartmouth in the NCAA Tournament, falling, 1-0, in double overtime.

Bryant wraps up the regular season against Central Connecticut on Friday, Nov. 3 at 3 p.m. in Smithfield. The Bulldogs dominated CCSU in 2016, ending their season with a 3-1 win over the Blue Devils.

Click here to view the full 2017 season.