Field hockey victorious in season opener

Three first half goals propel the Bulldogs to season-opening win

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Led by two goals from sophomore Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand), the Bryant University field hockey team defeated Colgate University, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon in Hamilton, N.Y. to win its 2012 season opener.

Despite the Raiders (0-2) outshooting the Bulldogs (1-0), 16-11, the Black and Gold were able to open 2012 with a victory.  Bryant netminder Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) turned aside 11 chances, while Amanda DiDomizio registered six saves on nine shots on goal.

The Bulldogs wasted no time getting on the board in their season opener. Five minutes into the contest sophomore Corinne Woods (Beverley, Mass.) received a pass in front of the Raider goal from Kayleigh Ballantyne (Gorham, Maine) to notch her first score of 2012, giving Bryant an early 1-0 advantage.

Just over a minute later, Eliana Brown halted a Bryant clearing attempt just inside the circle to put away her first goal of the season, knotting the game at, 1-1.

Bryant took just over three minutes to respond when Rosie Bird put away a rebound off a penalty corner for her first score of the game, pushing the Bulldog lead back to one goal.

Just before the end of the first period, the New Zealander extended the Bryant advantage tallying her second goal of the contest from inside the circle off Ballantyne's second helper of the half.

The Raiders were able to notch the lone goal of the second half when Brown redirected a pass from sophomore Rebecca Libutti, however it would not be enough. Despite outshooting the Bulldogs, 12-2, in the second half, the three goal effort by the Black and Gold in the first period was too much for Colgate to overcome.

In addition to Bird's three shots on goal and Woods' two, junior Olivia Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.), sophomore Abigail Armstrong (Mahopac, N.Y.) and freshman Michelle Fallon (Pompton Plains, N.J.) each had at least one shot on net.

The Bulldogs will continue their road trip when they head to California for three games over Labor Day Weekend. Bryant will open its Golden State visit against the University of Pacific on Friday at 6 p.m., before heading to UC Davis on Saturday and UC Berkeley on Monday.

For all the latest information on Bryant University field hockey, visit BryantBulldogs.com.