Ballantyne propels Bulldogs to 3-2 win

PROVIDENCE – With the game deadlocked at two goals apiece, sophomore forward Kayleigh Ballantyne (Gorham, Maine) scored on a breakaway at 55:30, propelling the Bryant University field hockey team to an exciting, 3-2 victory on Tuesday afternoon against in-state rival Brown University at Warner Roof. 

The Bulldogs (3-4) had led, 2-1, with back-to-back goals seven minutes apart early in the first half, but the Bears (1-5) were able to knot the game up just 36 seconds into the second stanza, setting the stage for Ballantyne's late heroics with her third marker of the season.

The Gorham, Maine native tracked down the ball and started a breakaway in the 56^th minute, and after her initial shot was blocked by Brown goaltender Shannon McSweeney, the sophomore put home her own rebound to put Bryant up for good, as the Bulldogs won for the first time in series history against the Bears.

Brown opened the game's scoring 15 minutes into the first half, as freshman Clayton Christus scored her first career goal on a penalty corner for the home team, firing a hard shot into the left corner of the net after seniors Laura Iacovetti and Leslie Springmeyer set her up.

Bryant came back with the equalizer 35 seconds later when rookie sensation Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) beat McSweeney for an unassisted strike, upping her season-total to seven through as many games.  The Bulldogs would take the lead minutes later, when Olivia Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.) ripped her first tally of the season on a penalty corner set up by Emily Charpentier (Walpole, Mass.), who set the ball after taking the corner from Katherine Andrusin (North Andover, Mass.), putting the Bulldogs up 2-1.

After emerging from the locker room, Bryant did not have long to rest on its lead before the Bears tied the game at 35:26.  Sophomore Avery Burns sent the ball across the circle to Abigail Taft in the center of the circle. The senior turned and fired a shot that beat Bryant goaltender Jennifer Gullotti (Waltham, Mass.) to tie the game at 2-2. 

The Bears nearly tied the game at the end of regulation, coming away with four penalty corners in the final five minutes, but Gullotti and the backline kept the lead in hand, as the senior turned made a late save in the final minute to seal the victory for the Bulldogs.  In total, Gullotti finished with three saves, while McSweeney turned aside six of Bryant's nine shots on net, while facing 16 over the course of the game.  Both teams finished with an even 16 shots apiece.

Next up, the Bulldogs will head back home after two straight road games on Saturday, Sept. 24, for a non-league matchup against Colgate University on the morning of Homecoming.  Fans that make the trip for the 11 a.m. matchup are encouraged to stick around for the Homecoming football game between Bryant and Wagner College.

For continuing coverage of Bryant field hockey, check back at www.bryantbulldogs.com, and follow the Bulldogs on Twitter @BryantAthletics.