Field hockey tabbed 7th
Bryant field hockey selected seventh in NEC preseason poll
SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- As one of Bryant's fast-track reclassification programs, the Bulldog field hockey team, led by fourth-year coach Shaunessy Saucier, looks to get back to the postseason in 2012. Tabbed to finish seventh in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the program enters its third year of Division I postseason eligibility this fall as it hopes to improve on its overall 8-10 mark from 2011.
After becoming the first program in Bryant history to qualify for a Division I postseason tournament in 2010, the Bulldogs fell short in 2011, finishing sixth in the Northeast Conference. After beginning the season 0-3, the Bulldogs went on to win six of their next eight, including convincing victories over Georgetown, Pacific and Colgate to finish out non-conference play with a record of 6-5. In NEC play, Bryant picked up two overtime wins at Robert Morris and at Siena in the season finale.
Despite losing five seniors to graduation, the future looks bright for the Bulldogs, and the 2012 roster is full of promise, highlighted by the return of leading scorer and 2011 NEC Rookie of the Year Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand). The New Zealander finished the season with a team-high 14 goals and two assists for 30 points, which ranked fifth all-time in Bryant history for points scored in a single season. Bird also finished her rookie campaign in the single-season top five in points per game (1.61), goals (14), goals per game (0.78) and shots attempted (89).
Also returning is junior Mallory Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine), who earned her spot in the lineup last season as one of the team's top playmakers. Classmate Kayleigh Ballantyne (Gorham, Maine) will be among the team's lead returning scorers as well.
The Bulldogs will look to their midfield for strong leadership as senior captain Brittany Vasconcelos (Tiverton, R.I.) and junior captain Olivia Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.) both return after strong campaigns in 2011. Sophomore Abigail Armstrong (Mahopac, N.Y.) will also contribute key minutes as a midfielder after starting all 18 games last season as a freshman.
Anchoring the Bryant defense will be sophomores Kelsey Hiltebeitel (Warminster, Pa.) and Emily Clark (Vienna, Va.). The Bulldogs will also rely on freshman Bronwyn Walton (North Vancouver, B.C.) to play key minutes on the backline.
Between the pipes, nine-game starter Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) returns for her junior season and will be challenged by freshman Jenna Limone (Brandford, Conn.) for time in net. Hancock finished 2011 with a 5-4 record and a goals against average of 2.57.
The Bulldogs open their season with an exhibition game at Providence College on August 21 before heading to Colgate on August 25 to open the regular season. Bryant opens at home on Friday, September 14 against Brown (7 p.m.) and will open NEC play October 7 against Siena at the Bryant Turf Complex (12 p.m.).
The Saints were tabbed eighth in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, just behind the Bulldogs. Garden State rivals Monmouth (first) and Rider (second) were selected as the preseason favorites, with the Hawks (four first-place votes) slated to make another run to the NEC Tournament finals. Rider, the two-time defending tournament champions, received three first-place votes.
Saint Francis (PA) came in at third, while Quinnipiac took home the remaining first-place vote, sitting in fourth place. Robert Morris clocked in at fifth in the standings and Sacred Heart sixth, right ahead of Bryant, with Siena rounding out the poll.
For all the latest information on Bryant University field hockey, visit BryantBulldogs.com.