Bulldogs open season Friday vs. Albany

FIELD HOCKEY OPENS SEASON WITH ALBANY FRIDAY (3:30 P.M.) AND COLGATE SUNDAY (12 P.M.)

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After nearly two weeks of preseason camp, the Bryant University field hockey team opens its 2013 regular season over the weekend, beginning with Albany on Friday (3:30 p.m. in Providence), before hosting Colgate at the Bryant Turf Complex on Sunday (12 p.m.).

The Bulldogs begin their 2013 campaign with postseason aspirations after coming up just one game short last year. In its first season in the MAAC, Bryant will look to exceed expectations after being picked sixth in the preseason coaches poll. With a wealth of experience and a group of talented newcomers, the Black and Gold are primed for one of their best years since joining the Division I ranks.

On Friday, the Bulldogs will open their regular season with perennial top-20 contender, Albany, in Providence, R.I., at 3:30 p.m. The defending America East Champion Great Danes finished 2012 with an overall mark of 13-8, spending the majority of the year in the top 25. The AE Preseason favorites return three of their top four scorers from last year, including a pair of 31-point scorers in seniors Daphne Voormolen and Corrine McConville. In 2012, the duo combined for 28 goals and six assists, while 2012 America East Rookie of the Year Laura Page added one goal and 15 assists. The Bulldogs and Great Danes last faced off in 2010 as a pair of McConville scores lifted Albany to 3-0 victory.

Just two days later, Colgate heads to Smithfield Sunday at noon for a rematch from the 2012 season opener. Last August in Hamilton, N.Y., a pair of first-half Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) markers led Bryant to a 3-2 win over the Raiders. Tabbed to finish fifth in the Patriot League Preseason Poll, Colgate returns its leading scorer from a year ago, junior Eliana Brown. In 2012, Brown notched eight goals for a team-leading 16 points in just over 50 minutes per game. Also returning for the Raiders is junior Halle Biggar who put up 14 points last year and goalkeeper Amanda DiDomizio who started all 17 for Colgate a year ago.

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