BULLDOGS DROPPED BY LATE GOAL, FALL, 2-1, TO SAINT FRANCIS (PA) SUNDAY
October 04, 2009
BULLDOGS DROPPED BY LATE GOAL, FALL, 2-1, TO SAINT FRANCIS (PA) SUNDAY
SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Despite being outshot, 7-5, Saint Francis (PA) used a late man-up goal to drop the Bryant University field hockey team, 2-1, Sunday afternoon at DeGol Field, stopping the Bulldogs just short of their first winning streak of the season.
The game winner came from Kellie Mason in the 62nd minute, just 34 seconds after Bryant senior Caitlan Johnson (Walpole, Mass.) was sent to the sidelines with a yellow card, giving the Red Flash (1-10, 1-1 NEC) a man advantage in the contest's waning minutes.
Mason, who also opened the scoring less than 10 minutes into the second half to give Saint Francis (PA) a 1-0 edge, took a pass from Tia Dudukovich to net the winner, as the Bulldogs (4-7, 1-1 NEC) gave the Red Flash their first victory of the season.
But the teams kept it even throughout the first half, entering the intermission scoreless.
Mason would give the home side 1-0 advantage 6:23 into the second frame, but Bryant would respond, evening the score at 1-1 in the 51st minute on an unassisted score from Johnson, her first of the year.
But when the senior captain was sent off 10 minutes later, the man advantage opened the field for Saint Francis (PA), giving Mason the opportunity to take the lead with her second goal of the game.
The 2-1 score would stick through the final 8:40 of play, handing the Bulldogs their first loss in Northeast Conference action and first in the last three contests.
Johnson and junior Brittany Glenn (Easthampton, Mass.) led the Bulldogs with two shots apiece, while Mason's three shots were a game high. Saint Francis shot with deadly aim, putting just two shots on target but making both count. Katelyn Vitali made two stops for the Red Flash between the pipes.
The Bulldogs return home next Sunday, Oct. 11 to host Lock Haven at the Bryant Turf Complex (1 p.m.).