Raiders defeat Bulldogs in extra time to take season opener, 1-0

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After battling through regulation tied, the Bryant University field hockey team lost its season opener, 1-0, in the 74th minute, as Colgate's Emily Brash slotted one from mid circle in extra time, Friday night in Hamilton.

In what started as a more even match resulted in a Raiders' victory after they picked up the tempo in the second half, outshooting the Bulldogs, 11-5. The hosts carried the momentum into extra time, ultimately finding the game winner in the 74th minute, when Cady Kopsky crossed the ball into the circle, where Brash was there to finish into the back of the cage.

The Bulldogs made a serious push in the 72nd minute, rifling off three-straight shots in which Colgate's veteran goalie Maria Krull was able to deflect away. Krull finished the game with seven saves.

Returning starting keeper Marissa Elizardo (North Wales, Pa.) helped the Bulldogs reach extra time as the sophomore fended off six Raider attempts in the second half, totaling nine saves in the contest.

Senior forward Victoria Danby (Lancaster, Mass.) led the Bulldogs with seven shots, placing three on frame, as freshman Floor van Dommelen (Berg en Dal, Netherlands) followed suit with three shots of her own.

As a unit, the Bulldogs fired off 13 shots to the Raiders' 17 with 11 of Colgate's coming in the second half. The second period also saw six penalty corners for the Raiders, as Bryant tallied three in each half.

Bryant will stay on the road, traveling to play defending America East Champions Albany, Sunday at 1 p.m.