FH tops Siena, 2-1, for first MAAC win

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Behind tallies from sophomore Erin Karcher (Kennet Square, Pa.) and senior Molly Morrison (York, Maine), the Bryant University field hockey team defeated Siena, 2-1, Friday night at the Bryant Turf Complex.

The Bulldogs (4-9, 1-1 MAAC) scored twice in the first half and never looked back to earn their first victory of MAAC play this season, while the Saints (0-12, 0-2 MAAC) made it interesting late, but were unable to overcome the early deficit.

After 27 minutes of scoreless play, the Black and Gold took advantage of one of their many chances when sophomore Victoria Danby (Lancaster, Mass.) fired a strike from the top of the circle, setting up Karcher in front of the net for the tip in at the 27:29 mark. Less than three minutes later, Bryant struck again when Morrison collected a loose ball in front of the Siena cage and chipped home her first tally of the season at the 30:21 mark, giving the Bulldogs a 2-0 edge.

In the second half, the Saints wasted little time mounting their comeback when Sage Stebbins tip in a rebound in front of the net to cut the Bryant advantage in half, 2-1, at the 39:01 mark. But it was too little, too late, as the Black and Gold backline weathered the barrage of Siena attacks to hold on for the W.

Senior goalkeeper Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) made one save in her fourth victory of the season, while Madi Gilbert and Mary Drabich combined for six stops for the Saints.

Looking ahead, the Bulldogs will play their final home game of the 2014 regular season on Sunday when they host Quinnipiac at 12 p.m. for Senior Day 2014.

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