Field hockey falls at Harvard, 3-2, Friday night

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite getting on the board first, the Bryant University field hockey team fell to Harvard, 3-2, Friday night in Cambridge, Mass.

Sophomore Victoria Danby (Lancaster, Mass.) put the Bulldogs (0-3) on top early with her score at the 9:09 mark of the first half, however back-to-back goal from the Crimson (1-0) at the 21:12 mark and 26:02 mark, and then the eventual game-winner at the 51:24 mark were too much for Bryant to overcome.

Danby's first-career marker came nearly ten minutes into Friday night's contest off a penalty corner set up by Mikayla Fitzmaurice (Skowhegan, Maine) and Erin Karcher (Kennet Square, Pa.), granting the Black and Gold their first lead of the 2014 season.

However, the usual stingy Bryant backline was unable to stop a relenting Harvard attack which converted twice, in the form of tallies from Noel Painter and Marissa Balleza, to give the hosts a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.

Almost exactly 15 minutes into the second frame, the Bulldogs were able to capitalize on yet another penalty corner; this time the duo of Fitzmaurice and Karcher helped senior Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) put away her first goal of the season, evening the score, 2-2.

However, less than 90 seconds later, Balleza put home her second of the contest and the eventual game-winner score off a Harvard corner at the 51:25 mark.

Senior goalkeeper Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) made four saves in the contest, while Harvard GK Issy Davies stopped a pair of Bryant shots on goal.

Looking ahead, the Bulldogs will have a quick turnaround as they prepare to face off with Brown in Providence, Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m.

For all the latest news on the Bryant University field hockey team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.