Red Flash spoil Bryant’s Senior Day with 1-0 victory Sunday afternoon

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team honored its seven seniors prior to today's match and outshot Saint Francis U., 9-6, but a 68th minute strike from Sara Suler was the lone tally and spoiler in Sunday's Northeast Conference 1-0 loss.

The Bulldogs (8-9, 4-3) have now lost two straight at home and have not won on Senior Day since 2012.

Though the game was pretty evenly matched with equal chances from both sides, Bryant had two near goal in the first half. Junior Claire Bergh (Calgary, Alberta) sent a low cross into the box on frame in the eighth minute, but it just hit the right post from five yards out, and the Red Flash (6-11, 4-2) were able to clear.

The Bulldogs had the next two shots on net, with the second from senior Kianna Woods (Stafford Springs, Conn.), who made a strong run down the right wing and got about seven yards out before shooting, but keeper Julia Hernan slid and knocked the ball away. The hosts had five shots in the first half with two on net and two that got blocked, while Saint Francis U. attempted just three shots with one on goal.

Senior keeper Kaylan Conrad (Avon, Conn.) was asked to make just one save in the first frame, as her team limited Red Flash chances and played great defense. But the visitors started to control possession in the second half, earning all four corners.

In the 68th minute following a dispossession, Suler sent a quick strike from about 30 yards just right of the middle of the field. Having not seen many shots to that point, it caught Conrad off guard, as she misjudged the shot that bent inside the upper left of the goal.

The Red Flash wasted time any chance they had from there, as they were in no rush with throw ins, substitutions or either of the two corners over the final 22:42. Bryant could not get a shot off over that stretch and dropped a tough decision on senior day.

Reddish paced Bryant with six of its nine shots and sent two on goal, while Woods had the other on target and Conrad made one stop. Gabi Morales led the Red Flash with three shots and one on goal, and she took all five corners. Hernan made three saves in the win.

The loss puts a damper in the Black and Gold's postseason hopes with just one game remaining. Entering today's match in second place, the two teams tied for third place, Sacred Heart and Fairleigh Dickinson, both won today to move ahead of Bryant.

The Bulldogs wrap up the regular season on the road in a virtual must win at the Pioneers on Sunday, October 30 at 12:00 p.m.