Women's soccer opens week at UNH Thurs, hosts Akron Sun.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Coming off a big road win at Iona on Sunday, the Bryant University women's soccer team hits the pitch again this weekend, visiting New Hampshire on Thursday (7 p.m.) before hosting Akron on Sunday (12 p.m.) at Bulldog Soccer Field.

The Bulldogs, who enter weekend action with a 2-4 overall mark, will look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season. Thus far, all six matches for the Black and Gold have been one-goal games, including a pair of double overtime thrillers. However, perhaps the most encouraging sign for Bryant early on is a 2-1 record on the road.

"I think winning on the road is a sign of a good team," said Bryant head coach Chris Flint. "On the road, there is more structure with more variables we can control, but the bottom line is we need to win at home, as well."

On Thursday, the Bulldogs will play their second-straight midweek primetime match when they visit UNH for a 7 p.m. showdown under the lights. The Wildcats enter this week's action with a 1-4 overall record, most recently falling to UMass on Sunday, 2-1, in double overtime. Through five games, freshman Brookie Murphy has scored both UNH goals with senior Hannah Blondin and Meghan Ledwith adding an assist apiece. Sophomore Mimi Borkan has played all 462 minutes in goal for the Wildcats, making 32 saves and allowing 1.36 goals per contest. Last season, Bryant blanked UNH, 2-0, thanks to an early goal from Katy Biagi (Natick, Mass.) to give the Bulldogs their first win over the Wildcats.

After a two-day break, Bryant returns to action on Sunday when they play host to Akron for the first time in program history. Through five games this season, the Zips are 2-3 overall with wins over Robert Morris and St. Bonaventure. Sophomore forward Sarah Sivic leads the team with a pair of goals while Loreana Lonigro has chipped in three assists. Senior Alex Luevano-Harden and junior Klaire Adee have split time in next, combing for a .667 save percentage and a 2.20 goals against average in five games. Akron will play Boston University Friday night before heading to Smithfield on Sunday.

"UNH has a new coach this season and they have been competitive in every game thus far," added Flint. "And Akron is a relative unknown but, nonetheless we will look to build off Sunday's win [at Iona] this week."

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