Bryant drops opener at Colgate, 2-1, Friday night

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Unable to overcome a pair of early goals, the Bryant University field hockey team fell to Colgate, 2-1, Friday night in its 2014 season opener in Hamilton, N.Y.

The Raiders (1-0) wasted little time taking their first lead of the new season when Whitney Jones put one past Bulldog (0-1) keeper Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) at the 2:43 mark. Colgate doubled its advantage nearly 12 minutes later when Eliana Brown put home the eventual game-winner at the 14:33 mark to put the hosts up, 2-0.

The two teams stood scoreless for the next 41 minutes until junior defender Mikayla Fitzmaurice (Skowhegan, Maine) and senior forward Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) connected for Fitzmaurice's first marker of the season at the 65:35 mark to cut the deficit in half. However, it was not enough as the Raiders held on for the 2-1 victory.

Despite giving up the two early goals, Bryant outplayed Colgate in the second half, outshooting (7-4) and earning more corners (7-2) than their opponents in the final 35 minutes of play. Hancock made seven saves in her 2014 debut, while Amanda Didomizio allowed the lone goal with seven stops of her own.

Bryant returns to action on Sunday when they visit a very tough Albany team. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

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