Bulldogs host Brown Weds., open NEC play at Sacred Heart Sunday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After an extended break, the Bryant University women's soccer team will host Brown Wednesday at 4 p.m. in Smithfield, before opening Northeast Conference play at Sacred Heart on Sunday.

After closing the books on a tumultuous month of September which included six one-goal matches and three double overtime heartbreakers, the Bulldogs will look ahead to a month of NEC play after their final non-conference tune up vs. the Bears on Wednesday. After nine days since they last saw the pitch, the Black and Gold are ready to get things going.

"We looked at this break almost like a mini preseason," said Bryant head coach Chris Flint. "It gave us a chance to regroup, recover, and get healthy before our final non-conference tune up vs. Brown on Wednesday and the eight-game NEC season that begins Sunday."

Brown, who opened Ivy League play with a 1-1 tie at Dartmouth on Sunday, enters Wednesday's action with a 3-4-1 overall record. After getting off to a 3-2 start, the Bears are winless in their last three (0-2-1). Senior forward Chloe Cross leads her team with eight points on four goals, while junior Erin Katz and freshman Mikela Waldman each enter the mid-week tilt with four points apiece. Senior Mallory Yant has logged all but 15 minutes of Brown's eight games in net thus far, allowing 1.11 goals per contest and stopping over 79 percent of her chances. Last season, the Bears squeaked out a 1-0 victory over the Bulldogs in Providence.

On Sunday, the Bryant will open NEC play with a trip to Fairfield, Conn., to play Sacred Heart in an afternoon showdown. Coming off a 2-1 win at Brown on Wednesday, the Pioneers enter this week's action with a 4-5-1 overall record and will host Dartmouth on Tuesday before welcoming Bryant on Sunday. Senior forward Kristin Verrette is putting together a year to remember currently leading both her team and the NEC in points (18) and goals (9). Classmate Talia Schwartz has logged all 835 minutes in goal for Sacred Heart, allowing 1.19 goals per match. Last season, the Black and Gold picked up their lone NEC victory of year in a 1-0 decision over Sacred Heart in Smithfield.

"Sacred Heart will certainly be a challenge," added Flint. "They have a girl that already has nine goals in Kristen Verrette, and we have always had very competitive, physical matches with them in the past and I don't see this time around being any different.

"Non-conference is important and as unhappy as we are with our record, the reality is that it all comes down to the eight conference games. The NEC season is a brand new opportunity for each team and I think our girls are in the right mindset heading into this week."

For all the latest news on the Bryant University women's soccer team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.