Field hockey edged by Harvard, 2-1

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. – Senior forward Courtney Landi (Kingston, N.Y. ) gave the Bryant University field hockey team a 1-0 lead in the second half, but Harvard University rallied for two goals in a three-minute span, and held on for the remainder of the game, earning a 2-1 victory at Jordan Field in Cambridge, Mass.

After battling to a scoreless draw through the first 35 minutes of play, the Bulldogs (4-5) were awarded a penalty corner in the 42^nd minute of the game, setting up Landi for her first strike of the season.  The New York native deflected a ball sent in by sophomore Olivia Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.) into the back of the cage, putting the visitors on top early in the second half.

The Crimson (4-3) were able to string together a pair of quick goals after that marker, with Katelin Whal giving the home crowd of 200 reason to celebrate after one-timing a centering pass from Carly Dickson into the net at 43:17, tying the game at 1-1.

Just over three minutes later, Paige Haley deflected a shot from Noel Painter past Bryant goaltender Jennifer Gullotti (Waltham, Mass.), pushing Harvard into the lead with just less than 25 minutes remaining in regulation.  But despite two penalty corners, the Black and Gold could not crack Crimson goaltender Cynthia Tassopoulos, who turned in a five-safe effort to keep the Bulldogs off the board the rest of the way.

On the game, Harvard held a 16-9 advantage in shots attempted, while the Bulldogs owned a 7-5 edge in penalty corners.  Gullotti finished the game with four saves, with sophomore MaKayla Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) picking up her first defensive save of the season, keeping a Harvard goal out of the cage in the 32^nd minute.

The Bulldogs will next do battle against La Salle on Oct. 2, hosting an 11 a.m. non-league contest at the Bryant Track and Turf Complex. 

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