Bulldogs look to build on last year’s success, begin season at Stony Brook, Friday at 5 PM

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Fresh off of earning its first trip to the Northeast Conference Tournament in 2015, the Bryant University women's soccer team and head coach Andy Biggs are poised to maintain the success and continue elevating the program to new heights.

The Bulldogs had won more than three conference games just twice before as a Division I program prior to last season, with the last instance coming in 2012. In just their first seasons, Biggs and Assistant Coach Erica Marshall helped lead Bryant to a 4-2-2 mark in the NEC to earn the team's first ever trip to the conference tournament.

Like most teams that experience quality seasons, leadership can be critical and the Bulldogs do not lack in that department. Five seniors lead the 2016 squad, all of whom appeared in at least 14 games last year. Defender Abigail Smith (Kingston, N.H.) appeared in all 19 games and started 13 along the backline, midfielder Kaitlyn Spangler (Acton, Mass.) appeared in all 19 games as a junior captain, and forwards Melaina Aglieco (Rocky Hill, Conn.) and Kianna Woods (Stafford Springs, Conn.) appeared in 18 and 15 games, respectively, with three starts between the two. Perhaps the biggest return is that of senior keeper Kaylan Conrad (Avon, Conn.) who started all 14 games she appeared in, making 92 saves and her six shutouts were a Bryant record at the Division I level.

The returning underclassmen bring back experience and 50 percent of last year's point production. Junior defender Hannah Crofut (East Amherst, N.Y.) started all 19 games from both the midfield and the backline, as she accumulated two points and was named to the First Team All-NEC. Classmate and forward Haley Reddish (Natick, Mass.) also started all 19 games and added two points

Sophomore mids Alison Guilmette (Coventry, R.I.) and Alex Ralph (Peterborough, Ont.) appeared in 19 and 18 games, respectively, with the former tallying three points and the latter recording two while earning 18 starts on her way to being named to the NEC All-Rookie Team.

Sophomore mid Alex Spangler (Acton, Mass) started all 18 games she played in and joined Ralph on the All-Rookie Team. Junior forward Alyssa Riccione (Mohnton, Pa.) appeared in all 19 games and made six starts, as she also totaled two points. A familiar face returns to the midfield, as senior Quinn Massaroni (East Greenbush, N.Y.), who played in 37 games over her first two seasons with the Black and Gold before transferring, came back to Bryant for her final year of eligibility.

Friday marks the first meeting against Stony Brook since Bryant became a Division I program in 2008. The Seawolves went 6-9-3 in 2015, but 6-3-2 at home and this year's squad is led by the return of two of their top four point scorers, most notably senior forward Raven Edwards. The attacker scored nine goals last year and was named to the All-America East First Team. She finished the season with 20 points, good for second most in the conference. Alongside Edwards will be junior forward Manuela Corcho, who tallied four points last year and netted a pair of goals. From the defensive midfield, senior Priscilla Wiggins returns after starting all 18 games and leading the Seawolves in minutes played, earning her a spot on the All-America East Second Team.

Senior goalie Emily Doherty appeared in 15 games and made 14 starts, going 3-6-1 with a 1.10 goals against average and 70 saves. The Seawolves return an experienced backline, as senior center back Hannah Groth and junior right back Sydney Vaughn started all 18 games. Sophomore Kaitlin Loughren appeared in those 18 matches and started 15 at left back, and senior Lauren Kovalchuk played in 17 matches and earned starts in two,

The Bulldogs and Seawolves will kick off the 2016 campaign at 5:00 p.m., and the match can be seen live on AmericaEast.tv or followed along via livestats on StonyBrookAthletics.com.