#4 Women’s Soccer Receives Highest National Ranking Ever; Ties Bentley 2-2 Tuesday

– The Bryant women’s soccer team, ranked fourth in the latest Div. II NSCAA Poll, remained unbeaten in 2007, after tying Bentley College 2-2 Tuesday afternoon.

After defeating Franklin Pierce, who was ranked fifth nationally, 2-1 last Saturday, the Bulldogs shot up in the national poll, from 26th to 4th overall. This is the highest national ranking in the history of the Bryant women’s soccer program. They are also ranked first in the New England region.

The Bulldogs jumped all over Bentley early, scoring twice in the first 33:13.

Senior Stephanie Zalewski (Parsippany, NJ.) got Bryant on the board, punching a rebound past Falcon goaltender Kara Smith. It was Zalewski’s first of the season.

Junior Amy Orzechowski (Milford, CT) made it 2-0, as she blasted a shot past Smith to the top-right corner for her third of the season. Sophomore Holly Tyser (Somers, CT) notched the assist.

After Tara Petitto got Bentley on the board at 68:02, Laura Siever tied the score with just 3:07 remaining in regulation, as she scored off a rebound past goaltender Jessica Neales (Swansea, MA).

Bryant dominated both overtime periods, firing 12 shots, four on goal, to just two shots total for the Falcons, but could not get one past Smith, who made nine saves.

Neales stopped eight shots, including four in the second half.

Freshman Sarah Donovan (Storrs, CT) led Bryant with three shots on goal.

The Bulldogs (6-0-1, 3-0-0 NE-10) will take on AIC Thursday night at the Bryant Turf Complex at 7 p.m.