Bulldogs look to change fortune over weekend

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Looking to snap its streak of sudden misfortune, the Bryant University women's soccer team hits the road for a pair of weekend matches, playing at URI on Thursday (7:30 p.m.), before venturing to New Rochelle, N.Y., for a tilt with Iona on Sunday (1 p.m.).

After picking up their first victory of the 2014 season at Maine on Aug. 24, the Bulldogs have dropped a pair of double overtime contests, first vs. UMass on Aug. 28, and most recently vs. Holy Cross on Tuesday.

"Our mentality is that we are right there," said Bryant head coach Chris Flint. "But we need to find a way to convert the chances we are getting and ultimately win games.

"I continue to tell the team that it's tough to score goals, but we can't let the good opportunities we have been creating slip away. Our defense and goalkeeping has been outstanding thus far and will continue to be our cornerstone but we need to get more in sync offensively."

Thus far this season, all four of Bryant's matches have been one-goal games, primarily thanks to the hardnosed play of the Bulldog backline led by sophomore goalkeeper Kaylan Conrad (Avon, Conn.). Conrad currently ranks in the top three in the conference in save percentage (.818) and goals against average (0.92) through four starts.

"It's frustrating to start 0-3 at home," added Flint. "And an even bigger challenge to go on the road for the next three matches but we are certainly ready for it. URI has yet to lose and is play very well, while Iona is a brand new opponent for us."

On Thursday, the Bulldogs will head just down the road to Kingston, R.I., for a showdown with URI, who enters the match undefeated at 2-0-1. Most recently, the Rams picked up their second-straight overtime victory with a 1-0 win at Manhattan on Sunday. Seniors Samantha Leyh and Chelsea Gates and junior Ari Stanton have each accounted for a marker through three games this season, while sophomore keeper Katie Nickles has allowed just a single goal in two starts between the pipes. Historically, URI has won 10 of 11 against Bryant, however the Black and Gold did earn a convincing 3-1 victory over the Rams in Smithfield last September.

Three days later, the Bulldogs will visit Iona, the first of three new opponents on Bryant's regular season schedule. The Gaels open weekend action with a 2-2 overall mark with wins over LIU Brooklyn and Sacred Heart. Most recently, Iona dropped a tough one Binghamton, 5-0, on Sunday. Through four games, freshman Charlotte Stuart leads the team with a pair of goals and an assist. The Gaels play at Albany on Friday before heading back home to play Bryant on Sunday (1 p.m.).

For links to live stats of this weekend's action and all the latest news on the Bryant University women's soccer team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.