Field hockey heads to PA for a pair

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University field hockey team hits the road this weekend, traveling to the Keystone State for a pair of Northeast Conference showdowns against Robert Morris on Friday, Oct. 14 before battling Saint Francis (PA) on Sunday, Oct. 16.

The Bulldogs (5-6, 0-2 NEC) will attempt to rebound after two disappointing losses against preseason conference favorites Monmouth and Rider last weekend.  Bryant will also look to keep pace with the rest of the league with some positive results this weekend, as only the top four teams qualify for the NEC postseason tournament. 

After a six-game road stretch, the Colonials (6-9, 0-2) return to Joe Walton Stadium for just the second time this season on Friday.  Robert Morris owns an impressive 4-1 record at home so far in 2011.  Adding to that, the Colonials' six victories thus far have already topped the program's previous single-season record.  RMU won five games back in the 2008 season – its previous season high.

Bryant will be looking to stay unbeaten against the Colonials, owning a 2-0 all-time record against RMU in the past two seasons.  Last year, two goals by current sophomores Olivia Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.) and Mallory Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) propelled the Bulldogs to a 4-1 victory at home, with Jennifer Gullotti (Waltham, Mass.) picking up the win in net by virtue of one save.  Before that, the Bulldogs cruised to a 4-0 romping in Moon Township, with current senior Courtney Landi (Kingston, N.Y.) finding the back of the cage twice in that game on Oct. 2, 2009.

In the scoring circle, Robert Morris has been led by Taleah Scott, who has started all but one of the Colonials' 16 games this season and has 16 points on four goals and eight assists.  Jamie Hartley has reeled off a team-high 52 shots – including five of the team's seven against Sacred Heart last Sunday - and ranks second in scoring with 15 points (5 goals, 5 assists).  Matching that team-high five goals is Chantele Crow, who sits tied for third with 11 points (5 goals, 1 assist).  Erin McKenzie has started 13 games in net for, owning a 2.03 goals-against average with a .745 save percentage over the course of 931:01. 

The Red Flash (3-11, 1-1) saw lofty expectations coming into the season, indicative of their fifth-place ranking by the conference in the preseason coaches' poll , but struggled in non-conference play, and they enter the weekend having most recently lost to Quinnipiac, 4-2, on Oct. 9.  First up for SFPA will be a match against Siena before Sunday's showdown with Bryant.

Both teams have faced off three times before, with the Red Flash leading the all-time series 2-1.  Most recently, the Bulldogs used a goal by Landi in the 51^st minute to come away with a 2-1 victory in Smithfield on Oct. 15, 2010.  Before that, the Red Flash won by an identical score on Oct. 4, 2009 at home.

Senior goalkeeper Katelyn Vitali earned her first win and shutout of the season last Friday against Sacred Heart – marking the team's first road victory of the season.  Sophomore netminder Jill DiCola posted a second-half shutout against Quinnipiac Sunday and lowered her GAA to 1.94 for the season.  Reigning NEC Rookie of the Week Autumn Pellman leads the team with 19 points, as the freshman now ranks tied for second-most in Red Flash single-season history.  Behind her, Jocelyn Scillia has found the back of the cage five times – good for 10 points on the season.

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