Despite Elizardo's career-best 11 saves, Bulldogs fall, 2-1, to Dartmouth in shootout

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - In dramatic fashion, the Bryant University field hockey team fell, 2-1, to Dartmouth after the Big Green's Carmen Braceras found the equalizer in the 65th minute, leading to the hosts', 3-2, shootout victory on Friday afternoon in Hanover.

After five shooters, the Big Green (1-2) led the Bulldogs (0-5), 1-0, in the shootout, before junior Keighan Richardson (North Attleboro, Mass.) drew even for the Black in Gold. Dartmouth's Katie Persin countered Richardson, before senior Victoria Danby (Lancaster, Mass.) made it an even contest, 2-2. The Big Green's Sarah Tabeek stroke one into the cage as the fifth Dartmouth attempt, proving to be the game winner, as sophomore Emily Perryman (Lebanon, N.H.) could not get the equalizer past Emma Plumb.  

Plumb finished the contest with 10 saves and no goals against in her 65 minutes, as starter Hailey Valerio let up one goal, while stopping three Bryant attempts in the first half of action.  

Sophomore Marissa Elizardo (New Wales, Pa.) was dominant in the cage for the Black and Gold, fending off 11 saves, the most in her young collegiate career and second double-digit save performance. Elizardo allowed just one goal during regulation in the 65th minute and three shootout scores.   

Freshman Floor van Dommelen (Berg en Dal, Netherlands) notched her second-career goal, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead just before the half. The rookie took advantage of a loose ball in the circle, knocking it into the far right corner in the 32nd minute.   

The Bulldog defense, backed by Elizardo, held strong, coming up with five saves in 33 unanswered minutes, including the Pennsylvania-native's penalty stroke save in the 50th minute. Although, the Big Green's pressure did prevail in the last five minutes of the contest, as Braceras' equaizer sent the contest into overtime.   

Extra time saw no scores, as the Bulldogs totaled seven saves, including senior Samantha Yoder's (Mount Joy, Pa.) fifth-career defensive save in the final two minutes of the final overtime. The Bulldogs kept on the attack throughout overtime, totaling 12 shots in the extra 30 minutes and 24 in the game. For the third game of the season, Danby led Bryant with six shots, as Perryman and senior Erin Karcher (Kennet Square, Pa.) backed her with four apiece.   

Dartmouth notched a period-high nine shots in the second overtime, while firing off 29 shots in the contest. Joanna Nazareth collected a game-high 11 attempts, placing six on frame.   

Looking to break their one-goal deficit streak, the Bulldogs are set to face Pacific, tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Hanover.