Field hockey opens 2014 season Friday with high hopes

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Coming off its second postseason appearance in the last four years, the Bryant University field hockey team opens the 2014 regular season schedule on Friday looking to make it back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in the Division I era.

"We are very excited for the upcoming season and to get things started off on a positive note," said head coach Shaunessy Saucier, who is set to enter her sixth season at the helm of the Bryant field hockey program. "We want to set the tone early, playing smart, but hard, working towards surpassing last season's results."

Last year, the Bulldogs put together their best season since joining the Division I ranks in 2008, finishing 11-7 overall, 4-2 in the MAAC. After a tough season-opening loss to perennial top-20 Albany, the Black and Gold went on to win a DI record seven games in a row, going undefeated during the month of September. During MAAC play, Bryant earned victories in three of its first four contests, securing the #3 overall seed in the league tournament with a 1-0 victory over Sacred Heart in the regular season finale, before falling to Quinnipiac in the opening round of the MAAC Tournament.

"Our focus this season is playing together," added Saucier. "We want to work hard for each other, show up early, and continue to learn, grow, and improve as a team. This early in the year, we are focusing more on the process, not the end goal just yet."

Leading the way in 2014 will be forward Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand), who returns for her senior season looking cap off her storied career as a Bulldog. Bird, who currently ranks fourth all-time in points (82) and third in goals (36) in Bryant field hockey history, put together another tremendous year in 2013, leading the Black and Gold with a career-high 31 points on 12 goals and seven assists en route to an All-MAAC First Team honor.

In the midfield, senior captain Abigail Armstrong (Mahopac, N.Y.) and sophomore All-MAAC Preseason selection Erin Karcher (Kennet Square, Pa.) will look to lead a group of young, but talented newcomers. Armstrong, who put together a breakout season as a sophomore in 2012, will look to recapture that success this season, while Karcher looks to solidify herself as one of the top young players in the league.

Adding some depth in the Bryant midfield this fall will be sophomores Jessica Fleet (Londonderry, N.H.) and Victoria Danby (Lancaster, Mass.), and freshmen Keighan Richardson (North Attleboro, Mass.) and Anna Kennedy (Macungie, Pa.).

Senior captain and MAAC Co-Goalkeeper of the Year Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) returns for her final season in Black and Gold looking to solidify a deep Bulldog backline this season. Hancock, who has logged every minute in goal for Bryant in the last two seasons, posted a career-best 2.15 goals-against average and a.756 save percentage en route to three shutouts in 2013. However, junior Jenna Limone (Branford, Conn.) will keep Hancock sharp as she competes for minutes between the pipes, as well, this year.

In the backfield, senior captain and two-time All-League First Team defender Kelsey Hiltebeitel (Warminster, Pa.) will lead the charge for the Black and Gold. Joining Hiltebeitel along the backline this year will be juniors Mikayla Fitzmaurice (Skowhegan, Maine) and Nicole Plante (Smithfield, R.I.), sophomore Samantha Yoder (Mount Joy, Pa.), and freshman Camryn Bernheimer (Lewes, Del.).

Bryant opens the 2014 regular season over the extended holiday weekend when they visit The Empire State for contests at Colagte on Friday (6 p.m.) and at Albany on Sunday (1 p.m.).

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