Field hockey opens 2012 at Colgate

The Bulldogs head to Colgate for their 2012 opener

Season Preview (VIDEO)

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The Bryant University field hockey team will head to Hamilton, N.Y. to open up its regular season against Colgate University on Saturday, Aug. 25 (12 p.m.).

The Bulldogs head to Raider Nation for their season opener in hopes of returning 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. Led by fourth-year head coach Shaunessy Saucier, field hockey was the first program in Bryant history to qualify for a Division I postseason tournament in 2010. After going 8-10 last season, the Black and Gold are primed to return to the playoffs this year led by 2011 NEC Rookie of the Year Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand).

Last season the Raiders finished with an overall record of, 6-11, going, 1-4, in the Patriot League. Colgate returns ten starters in 2012, including its top three leading scorers from a season ago. Senior Lauren Dittman and juniors Halle Biggar and Olivia Nabhan accounted for over 70 percent of the Raiders scoring output last season and will be relied upon to shoulder the offensive load this year as well. They also return their second team All-Patriot League goalkeeper Amanda DiDomizio who looks build on strong freshman campaign. Colgate will begin 2012 with a three game homestand hosting Ohio on Friday night before welcoming Bryant Saturday afternoon.

The two teams met last September in Smithfield when Bryant blanked the Raiders, 4-0. Bird led the Bulldogs with two goals while senior captain Brittany Vasconcelos (Tiverton, R.I.) added a score of her own. Senior Chiedza Mawema (Harare, Zimbabwe) assisted on three of the goals and junior Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) posted her lone shutout of the season stopping four Raider shots.

Getting off to strong start on Saturday is vital for the Bulldogs as they look to return to postseason.

For the link to live stats of Friday's game and for all the latest information on Bryant University field hockey, visit BryantBulldogs.com.