van Dommelen's first career goal forces draw in second half, Yale tops Bryant, 2-1, in overtime

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite freshman Floor van Dommelen's (Berg en Dal, Netherlands) first career goal to force the game into overtime, the Bryant University field hockey team fell to Yale, 2-1, Monday afternoon in Providence.

In the 44th minute, van Dommelen handled the ball at the top of the circle before rifling a shot past Yale keeper Emilie Katz, tying the contest, 1-1. The goal marked the freshman's first goal of her Bryant career and first for the Bulldogs (0-4) this season.

The visiting Bulldogs (2-0) scored their initial goal in the 7th minute when Danee Fitzgerald poked the ball free from a scramble in front of the cage, allowing Allie Carrigan to finish the play with a nifty backwards shot, low into the right side.

With just two seconds remaining in the game, sophomore Emily Perryman (Lebanon, N.H.) was given a green card, forcing the home Bulldogs into a man down situation in extra time.

"Yale capitalized on the one-man advantage, bringing the ball down into our 25 as quickly as possible and drew a penalty corner," said head coach Shaunessy Saucier.

The Yale Bulldogs did just that, earning the penalty corner in the 72nd minute of play. Bridget Condie inserted the ball to Kiwi Comizio, who served it up nicely for Carol Middough. Middough collected herself and fired the shot over an out-stretched Marissa Elizardo (New Wales, Pa.) to end the contest, 2-1, in Yale's favor.

Elizardo finished the game with nine saves, including an amazing effort late in the contest. The sophomore keeper came off her line to interrupt a fast break, but the Yale forward dished a beautiful pass diagonally by Elizardo to a teammate who ran onto it. With extreme effort, Elizardo was able to sprint back into position, sliding to make the save on the near post.

Yale totaled 21 shots, led by Middough's six. Bryant finished with 11 shots, including eight on goal, as senior Victoria Danby (Lancaster, Mass.) led the unit with six.

"Overall, we began to attack more and build our offense through the midfield, which was a goal for us in the game," said Saucier.

The Black and Gold accomplished that goal, setting up numerous scoring chances in the second half, including nearly three breakaway opportunities. In a near goal-scoring moment, senior Elena Borovskis (Pequannock, N.J.) was left by herself in front of the cage after eluding a Yale defender and shot low on Katz, but the goalie slid and deflected the attempt away. Danby was there for the rebound, but Katz showed off her athleticism, returning to her feet to make a stick save on Danby's high shot.

Bryant showed confidence in its attack in the second half, but Yale's man-up opportunity in overtime proved to be too much, as the hosting Bulldogs dropped their fourth-straight game, 2-1. The Black and Gold return to action on Friday, September 9, at Dartmouth.