Despite Bulldogs outshooting Bears, 15-13, Bruno hold on to early lead, winning 1-0 Sunday afternoon

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Trailing 1-0, the Bryant University field hockey team had one last chance to tie the game with just seconds remaining, when senior Victoria Danby (Lancaster, Mass.) lined up and ripped a shot off the penalty corner, but Brown's Katie Hammaker made a diving stick save to her right to seal the Bears' 1-0 victory, Sunday afternoon in Providence.

"Hammaker played great," said head coach Shaunessy Saucier. "She played the corners well. We had our opportunities and we didn't finish."

Off the Bears' (6-2) timeout with 3:39 to play, Saucier made the call to pull sophomore keeper Marissa Elizardo (New Wales, Pa.)  from net to add another forward into the mix. During the stint, the Bulldogs (0-10) didn't allow Brown into the circle and earned Danby's last-second shot opportunity after sophomore Victoria Newbill (Wilton, Maine) drew the penalty corner.

Hammaker was able to come off her line and make a play on Danby's shot, totaling her 10th save of the game. Danby led Bryant with seven-of-15 shots, including five on frame. Sophomore Floor van Dommelen (Berg en Dal, Netherlands) backed Danby with two attempts of her own on goal.

The Bears found an early lead in the 10th minute of play when Rachel Lanouette passed the ball in the front of the cage where Jaclyn Torres was there to punch in a slow-rolling goal for the Bruno.

"We weren't set up on a defensive free hit," Saucier explained. "We know better and that was a major lull in our communication in which Brown took advantage."

Despite the deficit, the Bulldogs controlled much of the possession, outshooting the Bears 15-13 on the game and 9-6 in the second half. The Black and Gold gave up eight penalty corners in the first half and 12 total in the game, but Elizardo held strong, coming up with two saves in 66:21 minutes of play.

"We got after it this game," said Saucier. "We were winning 50/50 balls and really tried to beat them with our passing game. I was pleased with how well we possessed the ball. Our off-ball movement was excellent and we were in lanes, intercepting passes, but we just didn't put the ball in the back of the net."

"Keighan Richardson (North Attleboro, Mass.) had a great game in both the defense and in the midfield. Freya Ward (Haywards Heath, England) played really well on both sides and was instrumental in the middle of the field." Both players recorded a shot for the Black and Gold.

The Bulldogs now gear up for MAAC play, taking on LIU Brooklyn on Friday October 7 at 7 p.m. in Smithfield.