Bulldogs top Pioneers, 4-2

FIELD HOCKEY DEFEATES SACRED HEART, 4-2, ON ROAD FRIDAY AFTERNOON

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Four goals by four different Bulldogs propelled the Bryant University field hockey team to a 4-2 victory of Sacred Heart Friday afternoon.

With the win, Bryant (6-13) improves to 3-3 in the Northeast Conference, and more importantly, keeps its postseason chances alive.

The Bulldogs wasted no time chalking up an early lead when sophomore Abigail Armstrong (Mahopac, N.Y.) snuck a shot underneath the Sacred Heart keeper at the 7:30 mark for her seventh marker of the season. Junior Kayleigh Ballantyne (Gorham, Maine) registered her team-high 11th assist on the goal.

The Pioneers responded just over five minutes later when Kate Boyd collected her own rebound to beat Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) to even the score at 1-1.

The Black and Gold exploded for three goals in the final 35 minutes of play. The first came from Ballantyne off a Rachel Blitz (Riverwoods, Ill.) helper at the 40:37 mark. Blitz left the ball just in the right spot to set up a Ballantyne one-timer for her team-high 24th point of the season.

Bryant would increase the lead to 3-1 just 13 minutes later when junior Mallory Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) backhanded in a score, again with Blitz on the assist.

The Pioneers would score once more to cut the Bryant lead to, 3-2, off a Leah Salindong goal from Sarah Bergman, however the deficit would be too much for Sacred Heart to overcome.

The Bulldogs added one last score in the final two minutes of play when senior Brittany Vasconcelos (Tiverton, R.I.) drove into the circle and put a quick shot past the keeper to end the game, 4-2, in favor of Bryant.

Megan Hancock was impressive between the pipes once again, stopping nine Sacred Heart shots in her sixth win of the season.

The Bulldogs will welcome Quinnipiac to Smithfield on Sunday for a game with huge postseason implications. Sunday will also mark Bryant's "Stick it to Cancer" initiative and Senior Day 2012. Make sure to come out and support your Bulldogs in their final regular season contest of 2012.

For links to streaming video and live stats of Sunday's action and all the latest news on Bryant University field hockey, visit BryantBulldogs.com.