Offensive outburst leads Bryant past Vermont

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team turned in its best offensive game of the season on Friday afternoon, running its unbeaten streak to five with a 4-1 victory over the University of Vermont at the Bulldog Soccer Field.

Game Information

Bryant 4, Vermont 1

Records: Bryant (6-1-2), Vermont (4-4-1)

Location: Bulldog Soccer Field

Coach Biggs' Comments

"The team has done a great job of continuing to create chances and continuing to keep a positive attitude in front of goal. There were a lot of alert players in front of goal to take advantage of those chances today. Hopefully they continue to do that as we go forward."

Key Moment

• After a stalemate for the first 35 minutes, the Bulldogs seized control of the match with two late goals in the first half, the first by Cayla D'Amico (Grafton, Mass.) and the second from Katie Cronin (Feeding Hills, Mass.)

Scoring Summary

• 36th minute – Bryant 1, Vermont 0 – D'Amico opened the scoring after finishing off a great through ball by Remi Manna (Pleasantville, N.Y.) to the 18-yard box. D'Amico then circled the Vermont keeper who came out to play the ball and finished on an open net.
• 45th minute – Bryant 2, Vermont 0 – The Bulldogs doubled their lead when Rachel Benz (Stamford, Conn.) made a run down the right side with the ball and crossed to the far post, where Cronin was waiting to finish to the keeper's right.
• 57th minute – Bryant 3, Vermont 0 – After Marissa Grasso (Shelton, Conn.) fought to keep the play alive, Haley Reddish (Natick, Mass.) hit it perfectly from 30 yards away into the upper right corner of the net.
• 66th minute – Bryant 4, Vermont 0 – Arin Smalls (Marlborough, Mass.) finished Bryant's scoring after Emily Gordon (Grafton, Mass.) played her in behind. Smalls then dribbled around the keeper and scored on the empty net.
• 74th minute – Bryant 4, Vermont 1 – Vermont was able to avoid the shutout after Aly Spencer crossed into the box, finding the head of Ella Bankert who finished far post.

Stats/Notes

• The four goals are a season-high for the Black and Gold. It is the first time they have scored 4 or more goals in a game since Oct. 31, 2014 when they beat LIU Brooklyn 4-1.
• Bryant's four goals came from four different players this afternoon. The Bulldogs' 14 goals this season have come from 11 different goal scorers.
• The Black and Gold are now 3-0-2 at home this season.
• Senior Rachel Brightman (Rochester, N.Y.) ran her record to a perfect 3-0-0 on the year with the victory. She did not allow a goal in the first half for the third-straight match and for the seventh time in nine appearances.
• Cronin's goal was the first of her career, while Gordon's assist was her first-career helper. Bryant's freshmen class has now contributed 10 points (3g, 4a).
• Smalls has recorded her four points over the course of the last four games. When she scored this afternoon, it came on her first-career shot.

Up Next

The Bulldogs open up Northeast Conference play on Friday when they head to Moon Township, Pa. to take on Robert Morris.