Bulldogs host Stags on Friday at 4 p.m. before traveling to face Pioneers on Sunday at 1 p.m.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After splitting conference games last weekend, the Bryant University field hockey team returns to AstroTurf, looking to put two wins together as the Bulldogs host Fairfield on Friday at 4 p.m., before traveling to take on Sacred Heart on Sunday at 1 p.m.

"We are excited to get back to playing a quick game," said head coach Shaunessy Saucier. "We are a quick team so AstroTurf plays to our advantage and style. It will be key for us to play to our strengths this weekend, including being back on a faster surface."

The Stags (3-10, 1-0 MAAC) are fresh off back-to-back wins, including their opening conference victory over Rider, 3-1, and 4-1 nonleague win over Villanova. Sophomore Caitlin Bennett is fresh of MAAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after posting 14 saves against Rider. Bennet has started all 12 games she has appeared in and has accumulated 73 saves with a .670 save percentage. On the attack, the Stags led by senior Ann Burgoyne with 19 points off seven goals and five assists.

"Their counter attack is very strong," said Saucier. "They have some speedy forwards and skilled midfielders, so it is going to be matter of us relying on our passing game and working the ball through each line. We need to be ready in scoring position and ready for rebounds because we know it's likely Bennett will take care of the first shot."

After opening MAAC play last Friday at Siena, the Pioneers (0-11, 0-1) are one of only two teams in the conference still in the hunt for their first season victory. Sacred Heart most recently suffered a 2-1 loss to the Saints, falling in penalty shots, 3-0. Sophomore Emily Degennaro has started 10-of-11 games, racking up 56 saves, while posting a .571 save percentage. Offensively, SHU is headed by classmate Rebecca Hauser with eight points off four goals. Junior Allie Brouhard leads the unit with two assists and 22 shots on the season.

"Every opponent in our conference is going to be a battle and Sacred Heart always give us a good game," said Saucier. "Our mission is still the same: to continue to improve every game and that is what we are focused on this coming weekend."

Last year, the Bulldogs lost to the Stags, 4-1, while they defeated the Pioneers, 1-0, just five days before, as then freshman Emily Perryman (Lebanon, N.H.) scored the game winner.

"Beating both Fairfield and Sacred Heart would put us in a really good position in conference play, but we are heading into the weekend thinking about one game at a time," said Saucier. "That being said, after last season, getting to the tournament has been our goal this season."

The action begins on Friday at 4 p.m. at Brown's Goldberg Family Field. Fans can follow along with all the live action at bryantathletics.com.