Three Hat Tricks Not Enough in Season Opener vs. Holy Cross

SMITHFIELD, R.I.- Kenna Kaut, Emily Oliver, and Peyton Woodward combined for 12 goals, but the Bryant women's lacrosse team could not muster enough against Holy Cross in Wednesday's season opener in Smithfield.

Kaut and Oliver each finished with six points to lead the Bulldogs. Kaut did so on five goals and one assist, while Oliver netted a career-high four goals with two assists. Woodward added three goals for her third career hat trick.

Holy Cross 20, Bryant 14

Records: BRY (0-1), HC (1-1)

Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I.)

How it Happened

Q1: The Crusaders and Bulldogs traded goals to open the game, scoring four apiece in the first ten minutes. Kenna Kaut scored Bryant's first goal of the season at the 11:42 mark off an assist from Skylar Simmonds. She added two more for a first quarter hat trick as the Bulldogs went into the second down 6-5.

Q2: Emily Oliver opened the scoring in the second with an unassisted woman-down goal to tie the score at six. The Crusaders responded with three of the next four to take a two-goal lead, but Kaut and Peyton Woodward each hit the net in the final 2:15 to tie the score going into halftime.

Q3: The game's key run came to open the third, as Holy Cross scored five straight to start the second half. The Bulldogs were limited to just two goals in the quarter, with Oliver and Woodward each scoring in the final six minutes.

Q4: Bryant faced a five goal deficit after a Crusader goal to open the fourth, but a 3-0 run spurred by goals from Oliver, Woodward, and Alleigh Kempf cut the lead to two with eight and a half to play. The Crusaders were able to respond, closing the game on a 4-0 run to win by six.

Bulldog Notes and Notables

• Kaut scored five goals in a game for the fifth time in her career. She extended her streak to 22 consecutive games with multiple goals, dating to the end of her freshman season in 2021.

• Oliver's four goals were good for her first career hat trick. She added two assists to set a career-high with six points.

• Woodward's hat trick was the third of her career and the first since last April 23 against Vermont. 

• Chamberlaine Bell led the Bulldogs with three assists and added two caused turnovers and a ground ball.

What's next: The Bulldogs will be back at Beirne this Saturday when they host former NEC foe Merrimack at 3:00 pm.