Field hockey blanked by Bobcats

HAMDEN, Conn. - Freshman forward Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) tallied a game-high five shot attempts, but the Bryant University field hockey team was unable to find the back of the cage, as Quinnipiac earned a 2-0 shutout victory on Sunday afternoon at the QU Turf Complex.

The Bulldogs fall to 7-10 on the season, moving to 1-5 in Northeast Conference play.  The Bobcats improve to 10-7 with a 4-2 conference mark.

Senior goalkeeper Jennifer Gullotti (Waltham, Mass.) recorded eight saves for the Bulldogs while facing a flurry of scoring chances by the Bobcats.  In total, Quinnipiac held a 17-9 advantage in shot attempts.

Quinnipiac commanded the momentum early in the first half, reeling off six of the game's first seven shots before breaking through at the 19-minute mark on a goal from Danielle Allan.  Kimberly Cunniff took the initial shot that Gullotti turned aside, but Allan was able to bury the rebound for her first marker of the season.

But Bryant was quick to regroup, as Bird reeled off three shots in a two-minute span, with one on target, but that lone shot was turned aside by QU netminder Nicole Lewis, who finished the contest with three saves.

With less than five minutes to go in the first half, the Bobcats doubled the lead off a penalty corner at 31:18.  Maria Malonoski took the corner and sent it to Megan McCreedy, who settled the ball for Cunniff, who blasted it home to give Quinnipiac a 2-0 lead that would prove to be the difference.

In the second half, Bryant attempted four more shots, but was kept off the board by Lewis and the Bobcats' stout defense. 

Bird attempted, senior Katherine Andrusin (North Andover, Mass.) and sophomore Olivia Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.) each were able to register a shot, but none were able to convert, as the Bobcats held on for a key conference victory with one game remaining in the regular season for both teams.

The Bulldogs will wrap up the 2011 campaign next Sunday, when they travel to Siena on Oct. 30 for an afternoon tilt.  Game time is set for 12 p.m.

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