Bryant blanked by Bobcats
HAMDEN, Conn. – The Bryant University women's soccer team concluded a landmark season on Friday afternoon, albeit in disappointing fashion, dropping a 2-0 match to Quinnipiac University at the Quinnipiac Soccer Field.
The Bulldogs (8-8-3, 4-5-1 Northeast Conference) could not overcome two goals within a 40-second span scored by the Bobcats (5-10-1, 4-6 NEC ), spoiling what has otherwise been a tremendous year marked by several program-firsts since competing at the Division I level.
Since the program began its transition to Division I in 2008, Bryant had never finished a season at or above the .500 mark, nor had it won more than five games in a single season. This year's version of the Bulldogs achieved both of those feats, ending the year with an even .500 winning percentage while also setting a new single-season high in victories at the Division I level.
Three Bulldog seniors concluded their careers today, as leading scorer Kaitlyn Hinck (Bow, N.H.), midfielder Stephanie Morse (Warwick, R.I.) and All-NEC Second Team member Mary Green (Merrick, N.Y.) put a close to their memorable four-year run. The trio helped the squad record 22 wins in their four seasons; they are the only members of the team to have been on campus since the Bulldogs began their reclassification phase four years ago.
The Bobcats got on the board with less than five minutes remaining in the first half, as Chacha Naito took a pass from leading scorer Furtuna Velaj and put it home for the go-ahead marker at 40:03. Just 39 seconds later, Beck Kiting connected with Paula Kennedy for the second goal in less than a minute, doubling up the home team's lead at 2-0.
After halftime, both teams came out and played a physical second frame, but the Bulldogs were unable to get one past QU netminder Jill Kelley, who finished the game with three saves before being relieved for teammate Tori Graessle with less than five minutes to play. For Bryant, junior Kelsi Jacob (Mahwah, N.J.) finished the afternoon with three saves, giving way to sophomore Lauren Viverito (Dayton, N.J.), who came in during the final 9:55 of regulation for Bryant.
Bryant was paced by sophomore Ari Goldberg (East Bridgewater, Mass.), who led the team with three shot attempts and one on goal. Nine other players recorded a shot attempt for Bryant over the course of the game.
Quinnipiac held a close lead in shot attempts (14-12), but Bryant was able to put more one shot on net than the Bobcats. The home team also held a 4-3 lead in corner kicks, while the Bulldogs were whistled for 16 fouls over QU's 11.
For continuing coverage of Bryant University women's soccer, check back at www.bryantbulldogs.com, and be sure to follow the Bulldogs on Twitter @BryantAthletics.