Bulldogs open NEC play with win vs. Fairleigh Dickinson

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's soccer team started a new chapter of their 2017 campaign, opening their Northeast Conference schedule with a 2-0 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday afternoon at the Bulldog Soccer Field.

Game Information

Bryant 2, Fairleigh Dickinson 0

Records: Fairleigh Dickinson 6-2-2 (0-1 NEC), Bryant 1-7-1 (1-0 NEC)

Location: Bulldog Soccer Field

Coach Purcell's Comments

"Feels great. It's been a long timing coming. It feels good. FDU is very well-coached. I just felt that if we came together as a team and we trusted the process, we'd get a win. Derek is a workhouse. There was nothing planned we just wanted to get the midfielders running to the box. They're very tough to defend when they run from midfield."

Key Moment

• Bryant got off to a hot start with offensive pressure from the kickoff and it resulted in a goal in the eighth minute. Jared Lee's (South Setauket, N.Y.) shot from the right side of the box was blocked, but the deflection found its way to Derek Blanchette (Hope, R.I.) who rifled it into the bottom corner to give the Bulldogs the early advantage.

Scoring Summary 

• 8^th minute – Bryant 1, Fairleigh Dickinson 0 – Great play from the Bulldogs in the midfield created an opportunity down the left flank. The cross went all the way to Lee, who was able to fire a shot but it was denied. Blanchette was able to hit the rebound into the back of the net without a move from the keeper.
• 38^th minute – Bryant 2, Fairleigh Dickinson 0 – Matthew Kane (Lincoln, R.I.) doubled the lead, capitalizing on a frantic situation in the box. John Conry (Bolton, Mass.) played the ball towards the net and was saved, Anthony Barreira was able to get a touch on the rebound but he was denied as well. Kane came flying in to touch it past a defenseless FDU keeper.

Stats/Notes

• Bryant recorded back to back clean sheets for the first time this season, and for the first time since October 10-12, 2014.
• Both Kane and Blanchette scored the first goal of their career in the game.
• For Blanchette, his career point total is up to 3 after an assist in 2015.
• Nick Stewart (South Windsor, Conn.) recorded his fourth career shutout and his second in as many games after a clean sheet vs. Hartwick on Sept. 30.

Up Next

Bryant hits the road in NEC play for their next two matches, as they head to play Robert Morris and Saint Francis U next weekend.