Crofut nabs First Team All-NEC, Ralph and Spangler earn All-NEC Rookie honors

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After qualifying for their first-ever Northeast Conference Tournament appearance, sophomore Hannah Crofut (East Amherst, N.Y.) of the Bryant University women's soccer team is named to the First-Team All-NEC, alongside freshmen, Alex Ralph (Peterborough, Ont.) and Alex Spangler (Acton, Mass.), who each earned a spot on the NEC All-Rookie Team.

Crofut marks the second player in program history to make the all-conference first team. The sophomore made a mid-season switch from the Bulldogs' midfield to the backline, but not before notching her first goal of the season against Fairfield on Sept. 6. The center back has helped lead the Bulldogs to six shutouts, including five against conference opponents. In league play, the Black and Gold allowed less than one goal per game (0.95), while also holding league competitors to eight scores in six games.

Ralph notched her first-career score, in game-winning fashion, finishing top left from 30-yards out in overtime against Central Connecticut on Oct. 30. The center midfielder has placed six of 18 shots on net in her 17 starts for the Bulldogs.

Spangler joins Ralph in the central midfield, also earning 17 starts for the Black and Gold, while targeting net on two of six occasions. Both freshmen center midfielders have been an asset to the Bulldogs' offense and defense, helping to build Bryant's attack under the direction of head coach Andy Biggs.

The three honorees advance the program's all-conference selections to 12.

The Bulldogs kick off postseason play in Teaneck, N.J. against Robert Morris on Friday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.