Bulldogs rout Billikens, 5-0, behind Armstrong's hat trick

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Behind an impressive offensive showcase, the Bryant University field hockey team shut out St. Louis. 5-0, for its second-straight victory Sunday afternoon at the Bryant Turf Complex.

Senior midfielder Abigail Armstrong (Mahopac, N.Y.) led the Bulldogs (2-4) with her first-career hat trick, while the Billikens (0-6) struggled to get anything going on the offensive end.

Bryant dominated play from beginning to end wasting little time getting things going, breaking the scoreless tie on a penalty corner at the 2:25 mark on Armstrong's first of the day assisted by classmate Molly Morrison (York, Maine) and sophomore Erin Karcher (Kennet Square, Pa.). Almost five minutes later, sophomore Victoria Danby (Lancaster, Mass.) and senior Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) connected inside the circle for Bird's third marker of the season to lift Bryant to the 2-0 advantage.

Bird added a second tally less than two minutes later on a beautiful individual effort for her fourth of the season, while Armstrong put away Bryant's fourth goal of the contest at the 15:40 mark on a rebound. The senior midfielder completed the hat trick at the 26:29 mark on a beautiful give-and-go with Danby rounding out the 5-0 victory for the Bulldogs.

Senior Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) and junior Jenna Limone (Branford, Conn.) combined for Bryant's first clean sheet of the 2014 season, with Limone see her first career action between the pipes.

Coming off a perfect 2-0 Homecoming Weekend, the Black and Gold will be put to the test next weekend when they visit Maine, Saturday at 2 p.m.

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