Massaroni’s late goal pushes Bryant past Seahawks, 3-2, Friday night in Staten Island

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Having not won a game in which it had given up a goal all season, the Bryant University women's soccer team saw a two-goal halftime lead disappear in the second half, but persevered and scored with under three minutes remaining to knock off Northeast Conference foe Wagner College on the road, 3-2.

The Bulldogs (8-8, 4-2) remain maintain their playoff position and have now tied their second-highest win total at the Division I level. Saint Francis U. fell to Sacred Heart tonight 3-2, moving Bryant into sole possession of third place in the NEC, while second-place Fairleigh Dickinson also lost.

After a two-goal halftime lead was erased by the Seahawks (2-13, 1-4) with 17 minutes remaining, the Bulldogs flipped the script on their season trend of losing when conceding a goal. The Bulldogs pushed forward and won possession on the right side. Junior Alyssa Riccione (Mohnton, Pa.) lost a defender on the wing and sent a low-swinging cross into the box that was nearly knocked away by keeper Jessica Wilm. Fifth-year senior Quinn Massaroni (East Greenbush, N.Y.) was also in the area and challenged Wilm on the 50-50 ball. Massaroni got a foot on it in mid air and sent a shot left that just made it inside the far post.

Bryant built up a two-goal halftime lead despite just three shots in the opening frame. Junior defender Brigitte Donaghy (Toronto, Ont.) sent a free kick 50 yards down field that bounced off of a Seahawk defender's foot and rolled across the box and into the goal in the 14th minute.

Chances were few and far between for both sides in the first half, as Wagner attempted just two shots with only on goal. Senior Abigail Smith (Kingston, N.H.) lofted a short ball over the Wagner defense in the 33rd minute to Massaroni, who shot in the box on the right side. The strike was blocked, but stayed in the danger zone and Smith remained with the play to knock in the rebound for a 2-0 lead.

Having won seven of its games by shutout this season, the Bulldogs looked as if it would add an eighth. But the hosts came out firing in the second half, sending 12 shots with seven on target to go along with three of their four corners. It didn't take long for Wagner to cut into the lead, as Rorie St. Lawrence won back possession on the left side and raced into the box. She struck a quick cross into the middle and found Taylor Sackaris alone for an easy goal in the 49th minute.

Senior goalie Kaylan Conrad (Avon, Conn.) had a relatively quiet first half, seeing just two shots and making one save, but she was hammered in the second and had to make five stops. She made three following the Sackaris score, but Wagner was able to win a corner in the 74th minute that turned out to be the equalizer. Jessica Mouradian lifted the set piece into the box and perfectly found the head of Amber Coca, who drove it past Conrad to the near post. The tie forced Bryant to respond and it did so, earning its first victory of the season that was not a shutout.

The reserves paced the Bulldogs, as Riccione was the only starter to earn a point. Massaroni, Smith and classmate Kaitlyn Spangler (Acton, Mass.) all came off the bench and attempted two shots. Conrad made six stops and earned her eight victory of the year.

Syndey McNutt just missed an equalizer wide in the 88th minute, as she was free in the box after receiving a cross. She led all performers with five shots and two on net. Mouradian, Coca and Maria Nunez each added two shots, and Wilm made just one save while allowing three scores.

The Bulldogs return to Smithfield for the final time this regular season this Sunday when they take on Saint Francis U. at 3:00 p.m.