Biggs announces 2016 women's soccer schedule

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Head coach Andy Biggs and the Bryant University women's soccer staff are pleased to announce the 2016 fall slate, which kicks off at Stony Brook on Friday, August 19.

"We are excited to release our 2016 schedule and are really looking forward to the coming season," said Biggs. "This fall, we'll have the opportunity to test ourselves against some new opponents such as Stony Brook, Yale, Quinnipiac, Binghamton and St. Bonaventure while also matching up with teams that we've seen more often in past seasons like Iona, Fairfield, Lowell, Maine and Hartford".

The matchup against the Seawolves will mark the second meeting in program history, having first seen Stony Brook in 2008 during the Bulldogs' transition year, which resulted in a 2-1 loss on Long Island.

The Bulldogs wrap up their opening weekend in a home debut against Iona on Sunday, August 21, clashing with the Gaels for the first time since Bryant's 2-1 win in 2014.

The squad then hits the road for a three-game series against Yale, Fairfield and UMass Lowell, in which the Bulldogs finished 1-1 against last season, defeating the Stags, 3-1, on the road, while dropping to the River Hawks, 2-0, in Smithfield.

The Black and Gold return home to host Quinnipiac on Wednesday, September 7, and Maine on Friday, September 9. Wednesday's matchup will mark the first meeting between the Bulldogs and Bobcats since Quinnipiac left the Northeast Conference in 2012. Prior to Quinnipiac's change in conference to the MAAC, the Bulldogs were 2-3 against the Bobcats in league play, including the victory during Bryant's transition into the NEC in 2008.

The Bulldogs face Hartford at home in their last nonleague competition before hosting Robert Morris in their NEC debut on Friday, September 30, in Smithfield. Last season, No. 3 Bryant met No. 2 Robert Morris in its first-ever NEC postseason appearance, where the Colonials trumped the Bulldogs, 2-1, in Teaneck.

LIU Brooklyn visits Smithfield on Sunday, October 2, before the Bulldogs hit the road to challenge Central Connecticut and Mount St. Mary's. They return to Rhode Island to host reigning NEC Champions Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday, October 16, before wrapping up the conference slate against Wagner, Saint Francis U. and Sacred Heart.

"After an excellent end to our 2015 season and a very good spring, I'm confident our scheduled nonleague games will help us to continue to raise our level of play while preparing us for what we know will be a challenging conference slate," said Biggs.

Click HERE to view the full 2016 schedule.