Field hockey announces 2014 schedule

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Coming off its best season since joining the Division I ranks in 2008, the Bryant University field hockey team pleased to announce in 2014 schedule, a slate that includes 17 regular season contests, including five at the Bryant Turf Complex.

One year ago, the Bulldogs put together their best year since becoming a Division program, going 11-7 during the regular season, including 4-2 against league opponents, earning a berth to the MAAC Tournament. With rising senior Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) returning for her final season in Smithfield, Bryant is primed for yet another trip to the postseason.

"Our 2014 schedule has many familiar faces, allowing us to continue the rivalries we have fostered over the past six seasons," said Bryant head coach Shaunessy Saucier. "Our non-conference games are designed to put us in a strong position to compete in the ever-improving MAAC, as we are looking forward to an incredibly challenging conference lineup come October."

The Bulldogs will open their 2014 calendar with a trip to The Empire State, facing off with Colgate on Friday, Aug. 29 to open the year, before venturing to the state capital on Sunday, Aug. 31 to do battle with a very tough Albany team.

The following weekend, Bryant will play a pair of Ivy League foes, at Harvard (Sept. 5) and at Brown (Sept. 6), before returning to Smithfield for a big home weekend with contests vs. UMass Lowell (Friday, Sept. 12) and Saint Louis (Sunday, Sept. 14).

After a trip to Maine on Sept. 20, the Black and Gold will host UC Davis on Thursday, Sept. 25, as the Aggies make the trek out east. The Bulldogs will close out the month of September at Dartmouth on the 25th, before making trips to Holy Cross (Oct. 2) and Yale (Oct. 8).

Bryant opens MAAC play on Sunday, Oct. 12 at Sacred Heart, closing the busy week with a pair at the Turf Complex vs. Siena (Friday, Oct. 17) and vs. Quinnipiac (Sunday, Oct. 19). After wrapping up the non-conference portion of the schedule with a trip to La Salle on Oct. 26, the Black and Gold head to New Jersey to close out the regular season at Rider (Oct. 31) and at Monmouth (Nov. 2).

The MAAC Championships will be held Nov. 7-8 at Monmouth, in West Long Branch, N.J.

To view the Bryant field hockey complete schedule, click here.