Bulldogs season comes to a close in NEC Semifinals

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team had its season come to a close on Friday afternoon with a 2-1 loss to Fairleigh Dickinson in the Northeast Conference Women's Soccer Tournament.

Game Information

Fairleigh Dickinson 2, Bryant 1

Records: Bryant 11-5-2, Fairleigh Dickinson 9-8-3

Location: Teaneck, N.J.

Coach Biggs' Comments

"I thought our team played very well again today and was impressed with our effort. We started quickly, passed quite well and created quality scoring opportunities throughout the game. We defended quite well in the run of play and battled well against their restarts, but weren't quite able to shut them out. Full credit to FDU for their two well-hit services and hard running in the box."

Key Moment

• The Knights earned a free kick in the 65^th minute just on the other side of midfield and were able to convert, as Jessi Reinhardt flicked a Dara Battistoni service off the inside of the post and into the net, giving Fairleigh Dickinson the advantage at 2-1.

Scoring Summary 

• 37^th minute – Bryant 1, Fairleigh Dickinson 0 – Kylie Ratelle (Chicopee, Mass.) fired a shot into the bottom left corner off a layoff from Claire Bergh (Calgary, Alberta) to give the Bulldogs the lead.
• 47^th minute – Fairleigh Dickinson 1, Bryant 1 – Reinhardt recorded an assist on the tying goal, sending a free kick from around 50 yards into the box that was directed by the foot of Kristina Neri and into the net.
• 65^th minute – Fairleigh Dickinson 2, Bryant 1 – The Knights took the lead after drawing a foul on just the other side of midfield and were able to create havoc in the box again, creating the go-ahead goal.

Stats/Notes

• Bryant's 11-win season is tied for its highest mark in the Division I era.
• Ratelle's goal makes it six different Bulldogs to have scored multiple goals this season, their highest mark since 2011.
• The Bulldogs' graduating class finishes with 28 wins.
• Bryant finished with 20 shots, their highest total of the season.