#3 Bryant faces off with #2 Quinnipiac Friday at 3 p.m. in MAAC Semifinals

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – In its first Division I postseason appearance since 2010 (second ever), the #3 seeded Bryant University field hockey team will face-off with #2 Quinnipiac in the semifinals of the MAAC Tournament, Friday at 3 p.m. in Lawrenceville, N.J.

The Bulldogs, who closed out the regular season with a Division I record 11 wins, went 4-2 in their inaugural season in the MAAC, good for third place overall. After a disappointing season opener, the Black and Gold went on to win seven-straight, setting a program mark for the best ever start ever through eight games. The final five weeks of the regular season saw Bryant play six overtime contests, including a double overtime epic vs. Rider on Oct. 18.

"This season in the MAAC was a fresh start for our program," said head coach Shaunessy Saucier. "This team has continued to improve each day and we are truly playing our best field hockey when it matters most."

After being selected to finish sixth out of seven teams in the conference preseason coach's poll, Bryant went on to exceed everyone's expectations but its own.

"We used the coach's poll as motivation throughout the year," added Saucier "Reminding the team after every game that if we work hard, good things will happen."

On Friday, the Bulldogs will match up with a familiar foe in Quinnipiac, one that they played less than a week ago in Hamden, Conn. The Bobcats, who earned a share of the MAAC regular season title (Rider) with a 5-1 mark, finished the year with a 12-6 overall mark. Seniors Jess Rusin and Jennalise Taylor lead their team with 35 and 23 points, respectively, while junior keeper Megan Conaboy has logged more than 1,250 minutes in net.

Last Friday in Hamden, Quinnipiac earned its first penalty corner in 12 minutes into extra time, setting up Haley Swartz who fired a shot toward the cage. A well placed Amanda Danziger deflected the shot past Bryant keeper Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) for the lone score of the match.

"Quinnipiac is a very good team," noted Saucier. "We need to generate a more concentrated attack on our offensive end, and play smarter as a whole."

After winning just six games in 2012, the Black and Gold have a lot to be proud of in just their second Division I postseason appearance, however they are not satisfied just yet.

"This team has overcome a lot of adversity over the last few months," said Saucier. "And I am very proud of each of them, but this is not the ceiling. We know we can be even better."

Bryant will have an opportunity on Friday to show just what its ceiling is as they battle the Bobcats for a chance to play in the MAAC Championship.

For links to Live Stats and streaming video of Friday's action and all the latest news on the Bryant University field hockey team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.