Bulldogs lose to Colonials, 2-1, after late PK decides the game in NEC Semis

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – In their first-ever Northeast Conference Tournament appearance, No. 3 Bryant University women's soccer team took on No. 2 Robert Morris from University Stadium at Fairleigh Dickinson University on Friday, Nov. 6, losing, 2-1, off a Colonial penalty kick late in the game.

The deciding goal came in the 83rd minute, after a Bryant (5-11-3, 4-3-1 NEC) defender committed a foul in the box, giving the Colonials (10-10, 6-3 NEC) a penalty kick, which was taken and executed by sophomore midfielder Maleha Kureishy to put Robert Morris on top, 2-1.

At the close of the first half, the Bulldogs trailed, 1-0, after senior midfielder Lauren Sulkowski took advantage of a defensive turnover, shooting from outside the 18-ayrd box and finishing lefty past the outstretched hands on junior goalkeeper Kaylan Conrad (Avon, Conn.).

Just three minutes into the second half, senior defender Allison DeBenedictis (Norwell, Mass.) scored the Bulldog's equalizer off a Bryant direct kick from 40 yards out, placing it just inside the far left post.

The Black and Gold finished with 15 shots in the game, led by senior Scout Benson (Lynnfield, Mass.) with four, while DeBenedictis added a pair.

The Colonials tallied 19 shots, placing 13 on net. Sophomore First Team All-NEC selection Hannah Crofut (East Amherst, N.Y.) helped kept the Bulldogs' deficit to one in the first half, after coming up with two defensive saves on back to back Colonial corner kicks.

Conrad also played dominant in the Bryant backfield, finishing with an impressive nine saves and diving to make the play on a handful of them.

The Colonials will move on to play No. 1 seed Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday, Nov. 8 in the NEC Championship game. The Bulldogs wrapped up their record-setting campaign with their highest finish in Division I play, earning the third slot in the tournament under first-year coaches Andy Biggs and Erica Marshall. The Black and Gold now look to train over the offseason and comeback even stronger next season.