Women's soccer continues NEC play, hosts SFU Fri. (12 pm), visits Wagner Sun. (1 pm)

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Coming off a tough 1-0 loss to Sacred Heart in its Northeast Conference opener, the Bryant University women's soccer team will continue league play over the weekend, hosting Saint Francis U. on Friday (12 p.m.), before venturing to Wagner on Sunday (1 p.m.).

The Bulldogs enter weekend action with a 2-10 overall mark, 0-1 in NEC play. On Sunday, Bryant battled Sacred Heart to a scoreless 90 minutes until a Pioneer goal nearly 70 seconds into the first overtime period handed Bryant its fifth OT loss of the season.

"After dropping the match at Sacred Heart, this importance of this weekend is just magnified," said Bryant head coach Chris Flint. "It's vital to win at home, but if you can steal some points on the road, it really sets you up for success come November."

Looking to snap a six-game skid, the Black and Gold welcome an up-and-down Red Flash team who opened league play with a pair of shutout victories this past weekend. After going 0-9-2 during non-conference play, the defending NEC Champs are off to another strong start in conference action, earning a pair of 1-0 wins over Wagner and Central Connecticut in the opening weekend. Senior Mackenzie Walter leads her team with seven points on three goals and an assist, while freshman Lexie Mirenda picked up a pair of shutout wins in her last two starts between the pipes. Thus far this season, opponents are outscoring the Red Flash, 26-7, and outshooting them by a margin of nearly +10. Over the last five seasons, Saint Francis U. holds a 4-1 (Bryant lone win came in 2010) series lead over Bryant, most recently picking up a 5-0 win last year in Loretto, Pa.

"Saint Francis will be a challenge," added Flint. "They play a very good non-conference schedule and they know how to win."

On Sunday, the Black and Gold travel to Staten Island for an afternoon tilt with Wagner, who enters weekend action with a 5-6-1 overall record. After falling to the Red Flash and taking down Robert Morris, 1-0, during the opening weekend of NEC play, the Seahawks will play Mount St. Mary's on Friday before hosting the Bulldogs on Sunday. Megan Fritz and Johanna Konrad currently lead Wagner with seven points apiece (3g, 1a), while Katie Marcy has started all but one game in net for the Seahawks, posting a 5-5-1 overall mark. Last season, Bryant and Wagner battled it out in Smithfield in one of the best games of the 2013 season. After the Bulldogs jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first half, the Seahawks scored three-straight goals, including the game-winner in the 104th minute, to steal a huge win on the road.

"Wagner plays a very similar style to Sacred Heart," noted Flint. "It is a very tough place to play and they play a very physical style.

"It's difficult to win on the road in general, but I feel that our team does travel well. We just need to take care of business this weekend and our sole focus will be on Saint Francis and Wagner."

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