Elizardo's career-high 13 saves isn't enough as Bulldogs fall, 2-1, to Broncs

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Despite a career-best 13 saves by sophomore keeper Marissa Elizardo (New Wales, Pa.) and the opening goal from senior Victoria Danby (Lancaster, Mass.), the Bryant University field hockey team was unable to hold onto the lead, losing to Rider, 2-1, on a rainy and cold Sunday afternoon.

Danby opened the game scoring in the 20th minute, giving the Bulldogs' (1-11, 1-1 MAAC) a 1-0 edge over the Broncs (7-6, 1-1). Sophomore Haley Wood (Brownsville, Vt.) hit a streaking Danby with a perfect pass as she ran towards goal. Danby then took an initial shot that was saved by Rider's freshman goalie Emily Gilligan, but the forward didn't give up on the play, burying the rebound into the back of the cage for a 1-0 Bryant lead.

Nearly five minutes later, the Broncs tied the game as Clotet Alsina rifled off a shot and scored from the far side of the circle.

In the first half alone, the Broncs received 12 penalty corners, finishing the game with 17, while the Bulldogs weren't awarded a single offensive corner. Elizardo and the Bryant defense protected the cage extremely well, fending off all 17 Rider attempts. The sophomore keeper logged eight saves in the first half and finished with a career-high 13 in the game.

Rider found its game-winner in the 51st minute, as the Bulldogs faced a man-down situation. Kalyn O'Brien scored unassisted off a strike from the top of the circle. The Broncs out-shot the Bulldogs, 23-4, as Daane Koch led the home team with five attempts.

The game saw an unusual amount of cards, amounting to 24 minutes worth of penalties, including two green cards and four yellow cards. The Bulldogs were on the end of four of those cards, one in which gave the Broncs a man-up opportunity where they were able to capitalize and score the game-winner.

The Bulldogs look to rebound from their first conference loss when they host Fairfield on Friday, October 14 at 4 p.m.