Bulldogs drop heartbreaker to Akron, 3-2, in double OT

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After 108 minutes of evenly battled action, an own goal in the final minutes of double overtime would be the deciding factor as the Bryant University women's soccer team fell to the University of Akron, 3-2, at home Sunday afternoon.

A cross from Zips (3-3-1) midfielder Karina Atkinson found the back of the net off the head of a Bulldog (2-6) defender with 2:45 left in the second extra frame as the Black and Gold dropped their second double-overtime matchup of the young season despite rebounding twice in regulation to tie the score.

It was visiting Akron who got on the board first in the 15th minute, when Sydney Blomquist was sprung on a breakaway down the left side. The junior carried the ball in alone on Bryant goalie Kaylan Conrad (Avon, Conn.) and rifled a low shot into the corner for a 1-0 lead.

A Katy Biagi (Natick, Mass.) cross from the right side less than 10 minutes later connected with the foot of sophomore Melaina Aglieco (Rocky Hill, Conn.) to tie the score at 1-1, but the Zips would take a 2-1 advantage into the halftime break after Amy Dean scored off a corner served up by Loreana Lonigro in the 37th minute.

Just over 15 minutes into the second frame, though, junior defender Sarah Schucker (Nanuet, N.Y.) answered the call for the home side, floating a ball in right under the crossbar from 30 yards out to force the second draw of the game, 2-2 – a score that would hold through the final whistle of regulation play.

The Bulldogs tallied the only two shots of the first overtime period but couldn't find the back of the net, forcing a second extra stanza that saw them once again outshoot the Zips, 2-1. But in the second overtime, Akron found a way to break the tie for the golden goal victory.

"Another heartbreaker," said Bryant head coach Chris Flint. "I give our team a lot of credit for battling back in two situations down a goal. I thought we created enough good chances to get ahead and just didn't find the back of the net. But it was a positive for us that our offense created a lot of good opportunities to score."

Rookie Hannah Crofut (East Amherst, N.Y.) led the game with five shots, four of which went on goal, while Lani Smith paced the visiting offense with four shots. Overall, the Bulldogs outshot the Zips, 13-9, with seven opportunities going on target. Akron goalie Klaire Adee made five stops for the win, while Conrad finished the game with one save while coming up big in numerous opportunities for the Black and Gold.

Bryant next returns to the pitch when it travels out west to take on Colorado Friday, Sept. 19 in a 6 p.m. matchup.