Bryant off to 2-0 start following 3-2 penalty shootout victory

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- The Bryant University field hockey team is 2-0 for the first time since 2002 following a scintillating 3-2 victory in penalty strokes over Saint Louis on Sunday afternoon. 

Following two scoreless overtime periods, the Bulldogs won the penalty shootout, 3-2, to earn their second win of the weekend. Bryant is now 2-0 for the first time in DI program history and for the first time since the 2002 team started 2-0.  

Game Information
Bryant 3, Saint Louis 2 (3-2 in penalty strokes)
Records: Bryant (2-0) | Saint Louis (0-2)
Location: Maryland Heights, Mo.

Key Moment

• Dieneke Hes showed incredible patience in the fifth round of the penalty shootout, denying the Billikens and clinching the victory for the Black and Gold.    

How it Happened

• Bryant opened the scoring on Sunday on a deflection. Grayson Green sent a ball into the circle and Zoe Bates redirected into the back of the cage for her second goal of the weekend. 
• Saint Louis was able to tie the game on a penalty corner. 
• The Black and Gold grabbed the lead with a penalty stroke in the second half. Brittany Gouws stepped up and rifled it home for her second penalty stroke goal of the weekend. 
• Saint Louis was able to knot the score with just over four minutes left on a penalty stroke. 
• In overtime, both teams had chances with penalty corners but could not find the back of the cage. 
• The game then went to a penalty shootout. Bryant won the toss and was able to shoot first. 
• Both teams were unsuccessful on their first attempts.
• Taryn Rauff scored on Bryant's second attempt. Saint Louis also converted on its second attempt. 
• Natalie Brown then deposited Bryant's third attempt and the Billikens missed on their third attempt. 
• After Bryant missed in the fourth round, Saint Louis scored to tie it 2-2. 
• In the fifth round, Gouws calmly scored and Hes was able to out-wait her opponent and make the game-clinching save.  

Bryant Notes and Notables

• Bryant won both games this weekend, posting its first 2-0 start in DI program history. 
• The Bulldogs are 2-0 for the first time since 2002. 
• Bates recorded her second goal of the weekend.  
• Gouws now has 14 career goals and 35 career points. She is 5-of-6 on penalty strokes in her career.
• Green notched an assist.
• Dieneke Hes recorded the victory in goal. She finished with six saves.  

Up Next
Bryant returns to New England on Friday afternoon when it travels to Providence.