Making History: A look back

Field hockey celebrates historic 2010 season, becomes first Bryant program to qualify for NEC Tournament

By Sean Donahue
Staff Writer

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The Bryant University field hockey team wrapped up a historic season this past November, becoming the first team in school history to qualify for a Division I postseason with a Northeast Conference tournament appearance.

The Bulldogs (8-12, 5-2 NEC) ended the season third in the conference standings on the back of a program-best eight DI victories in their first season of NCAA eligibility. Bryant, one of two "fast-track" programs who became eligible after just two years of transition, wasted no time in taking advantage of that opportunity, besting the preseason coaches' poll prediction by one spot to capture the third seed in the NEC Tournament and secure a postseason berth for the first time in the Division I era.

Finishing the season in such good form was no easy task. The Bulldogs started the year with 11-straight road games and a schedule that included five teams ranked or receiving votes in the final NFHCA top-20 poll in Albany, Davidson, New Hampshire, Maine, and conference foe Rider. The tough non-conference slate saw the Black and Gold open the season with a 0-8 mark before defeating Colgate in the final game of September. That win sparked a 6-1 stretch spanning through the middle of October that vaulted the team's record to 6-9, but more importantly would represent a turn in form for Bryant, who would go 8-3 for the remainder of the regular season.

Bryant's improvement in the second half of the season was partially due to its dominance at home. The 2010 Bulldogs proved unbeatable in the friendly confines of the Bryant Turf Complex despite hosting just five of the team's 20 games, making the most of their limited home schedule with a perfect 5-0 record.

Senior Brittany Glenn became Bryant's first All-Northeast Conference First Team selection in 2010.

The Bulldogs' memorable year was highlighted by a five-game winning streak that started on Oct. 3 with a 2-1 topping of Temple on the road and didn't end until the team faced NEC champion and NCAA qualifier Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J. on Oct. 22. Along the way, Bryant recorded four-straight home wins, including a double-overtime victory over Holy Cross, 2-1, and three-goal wins over league opponents Siena (3-0) and Robert Morris (4-1). The Bulldogs would then put in a valiant effort on the road against second-seeded Monmouth Oct. 24, shutting out the eventual NEC Tournament finalist for 88 minutes before giving up a game-winning goal in double overtime.

Those two losses did little to deter the Bulldogs, though, as the team then clinched a postseason appearance as the three seed with a 4-2 win over Quinnipiac and followed it up with a 3-2 double-overtime victory at Sacred Heart in the regular-season finale.

But the Bulldogs would face a tough task in the NEC Tournament with a rematch against Monmouth. This time, Bryant outshot the Hawks, 12-11, but couldn't keep Monmouth out of the net, falling, 4-1, to end the 2010 season.

Individually, several Bulldogs had standout years for the team. Several players earned recognition for their performances throughout the season, but no honor was greater than that of senior defender Brittany Glenn (Easthampton, Mass.), who made program history by becoming the first player named a Division I all-conference first team selection. Glenn, along with sophomore Chiedza Mawema (Harare, Zimbabwe), also became the first athlete in school history to be selected to the NEC All-Tournament Team.

Juniors Courtney Landi (Kingston, N.Y.) and Katherine Andrusin (North Andover, Mass.) were also rewarded with Northeast Conference postseason accolades, both earning All-NEC Second Team honors. Landi would finish the year second on the team with 15 points on seven scores and one helper, while Andrusin ranked ninth in conference action with seven points (2 goals, 3 assists) in seven NEC games.

Senior Elise Boissoneau (Ashburnham, Mass.) led the team and ranked 10th in the conference with 16 points off seven goals and two assists, while junior goalkeeper Jennifer Gullotti (Waltham, Mass.) backstopped a strong Bulldog defense to finish the year second in the NEC with 144 total saves and third with a .825 save percentage against conference opponents. Gullotti's 7.20 saves per game would rank 12th nationally.

Freshman Olivia Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.) led the team in league play, scoring nine points (3 goals, 3 assists) to rank fourth in conference action, twice garnering NEC Rookie of the Week honors. Her three conference goals – matched by fellow freshman Mallory Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) – were good for fifth in NEC competition.

Five seniors played their final season for the Bulldogs in 2010. Glenn, Boissoneau, Alex Guisti (Walpole, Mass.), Julie Kuchyt (Hatfield, Mass.) and Toby Maltz (Andover, Mass.) all made key contributions in their final campaign with each appearing in a majority of the Bulldogs' games.