Conrad’s equalizer saves Bulldogs in Sunday’s season finale 1-1 draw at Sacred Heart

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Trailing, 1-0, with under five minutes to play, senior keeper Kaylan Conrad (Avon, Conn.) lined up for a free kick and buried her first-career goal to send things into overtime and ultimately be the final tally in Sunday's Northeast Conference 1-1 draw at Sacred Heart.

The Bulldogs (8-9-1, 4-3-1) were eliminated from postseason contention due to the Pioneers (8-5-5, 5-1-2) winning on Friday, but played aggressive and with nothing to lose. Bryant rifled 14 shots with six on net, attempting all five shots of the second half.

Freshman Marissa Grasso (Shelton, Conn.) had the first real chance of the day for either side, sending a hard strike on net in the 16th minute, but Nicole Sambuco was there for the stop. It was the first of three shots on net for the Bulldogs in the stanza, but Sambuco was up for the challenge on each occasion.

After attempting just one shot on goal over the first 39 minutes, the Pioneers found an excellent opportunity early in the 40th minute and took advantage. Maranda Gibbons, who had the lone shot on net to that point from 12 yards out, delivered a short pass to Alyssa Chirichella. She took one touch and lofted a ball over the head of Conrad from 25 yards away and into the back of the net.

Sacred Heart had a decisive advantage in corners, lining up for eight set pieces to Bryant's one. Two came early in the second frame, but the visitors were able to defend their goal and knock the ball out.

The Pioneers blocked two of the three Bryant shots over the first 40 minutes in the second half and limited play to midfield. It looked as if the hosts would get a nice victory on their senior day, but a foul just above midfield set up a free kick for the Bulldogs.

Conrad lined up for the set piece in the 86th minute with her teammates forward in the box. She sent a hard strike from the right wing that was powered into the upper left corner of the goal to knot things up. The Bulldogs were not done there, as they nearly took a lead just two minutes later. Senior Kianna Woods (Stafford Springs, Conn.) intercepted a pass on the left wing, raced down the side and shot to the far post with a difficult angle. But Sambuco leaped and grabbed the ball to prevent it from potentially finding the back of the net.

Chances were scarce in the overtime periods, as only six combined shots were attempted with just two on net. The great opportunity was in the final minute of the contest, as Lindsay Corallo broke free down the middle, tried a quick shot with the hope of getting it over Conrad, but the keeper charged up out of the box, slid and knocked the ball away to preserve the 1-1 draw.

Grasso paced the Bulldogs with four shots and two on net, while Woods placed two shots on goal. Seven additional Bulldogs attempted a shot, and Conrad made two key saves to wrap up a stellar Bryant career in addition to her first-career score.

Corallo led all performers with five shots and Gibbons followed with three to go along with her assist. Chirichella fired two shots with one being the goal, as Sambuco made five saves in the tie.

The Bulldogs close the door on an impressive season, tying the second-most wins at the Division I level with eight and the second-most conference wings with four.