Bulldogs face second one-goal deficit of the season, fall 1-0 to PC

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University field hockey team's defense held strong through 63 minutes of play, but the Friars' Adrienne Houle was able to convert the only goal of the game as Providence defeated the Bulldogs in their first-ever Division I matchup, 1-0, Sunday afternoon in the capital.

On Friars' (3-1) ninth penalty corner of the game, Emily Humiston crossed a pass in front of the cage where Houle was there for the tip in, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead late in the game.

"Providence is fast and aggressive and we managed their speed well," said head coach Shaunessy Saucier. "Defensive penalty corners eventually did us in and we needed to generate more attack in our 25".

Sophomore keeper Marissa Elizardo (North Wales, Pa.) logged a single save in the Bulldogs' (0-3) second one-goal deficit of the season. Last year, the Black and Gold ended with 10 one-goal decided games, eight of which resulted in losses.

The Bulldogs continue to struggle offensively, as freshman Floor van Dommelen (Berg en Dal, Netherlands) recorded Bryant's only shot in 70 minutes of play. The forward's fourth shot of the season came in the 17th minute but was blocked by the Friar defense. Providence out-shot the Bulldogs by six, firing off five in the second half.

The Black and Gold are still in the hunt for their first goal of the season as they host Yale tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Brown University.