DiMarco scores first-career goal but Bulldogs fall, 3-1, to Crusaders in regular-season finale

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – In its final regular-season game, Bryant University field hockey was topped by Holy Cross, 3-1, Sunday afternoon in Worcester.

In a contest that saw all four goals scored within a 14-minute span in the first half, the Crusaders' (9-9, 3-3 Patriot League) junior Maureen Connolly gave the hosts a 2-0 edge over the Bulldogs (4-13, 4-4 MAAC) through the first 25 minutes of play.

On her first score, Connolly finished senior Lauren Sutherland's shot with a tip-in in front of the cage. The forward found her second goal of the game and 15th of the season when she placed a cross from freshman Madeline Alderfer into the back of the net for the Crusaders' 2-0 advantage.

Sophomore Leyna DiMarco (Glastonbury, Conn.) kept the Bulldogs in the game, scoring her first-career goal in the 30th minute. The defender shot and scored from the top of the circle off a pass from senior Victoria Danby (Lancaster, Pa.).

Four minutes later, the Crusaders sealed their fate when Alderfer put home a shot from junior Rachel Lapar to help Holy Cross to the 3-1 victory.

Danby led the Bulldogs with four shots, targeting net on three occasions, while the Black and Gold finished with nine attempts as a unit. The Crusaders topped the Bulldogs with 10 shots, as the hosts were led by Connolly with five attempts.

Sophomore keeper Marissa Elizardo (New Wales, Pa.) tallied two saves, while the Crusaders' freshman goalie Marcia LaPlante accumulated five.

The Black and Gold now turn their attention to the MAAC Tournament, making their first appearance in the post season since 2013. The No. 3 seeded Bulldogs will face off against No. 2 seeded Fairfield on Friday, November 4 at 11 a.m.