Bulldogs fall to Rider, 3-2, Friday afternoon

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Behind goals from sophomore Elena Borovskis (Pequannock, N.J.) and senior Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand), the Bryant University field hockey team held a 2-1 halftime lead but couldn't hold on, as two second-half Rider goals handed the visitors a 3-2 loss Friday afternoon on the road.

Rider (10-7, 3-1 MAAC) got on the board in the 25th minute to get the scoring started, as Carlota Alsina scored off a Dezarae Fillmyer corner for the 1-0 advantage.

Borovskis evened the score less than four minutes later in unassisted fashion, and Bird handed the Bulldogs (4-12, 1-3) the lead in the 32nd minute with another unassisted goal for a 2-1 edge that the Black and Gold would maintain through the halftime break.

But less than three minutes into the second frame, Laura McCormick took a pass from Kalyn O'Brien and fired it home to knot the score at 2-2. The two sides battled for the next 11 minutes before Alsina got back on the board for her second of the day, giving Rider back the lead, 3-2.

That advantage would hold through the remainder of regulation, as Rider finished the game with a 14-10 lead in shots but just a 9-8 edge in shots on goal. Both sides saw six saves, with senior Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) making all six for the Black and Gold and Joelle Prettyman making five for the hosts. Rider was awarded seven penalty corners to Bryant's five.

The Bulldogs wrap up the 2014 regular season Sunday when they take on Monmouth in West Long Branch, N.J. at 1:00 p.m.