HINCK GOAL LIFTS BRYANT WOMEN’S SOCCER PAST SAINT FRANCIS (PA), 1-0

Oct. 10, 2010

HINCK GOAL LIFTS BRYANT WOMEN'S SOCCER PAST SAINT FRANCIS (PA.), 1-0

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Junior Kaitlyn Hinck (Bow, NH.)  gave the Bryant University women's soccer team a 1-0 lead just 16 minutes into the match at Bulldog Stadium and it would be all the Bulldogs needed to defeat Saint Francis (PA.) and improve to 3-0-1 in Northeast Conference play (5-7-2 overall).

Saint Francis, coming off a 6-1 win over Mount St. Mary's, dropped to 9-4-1 on the season and 2-2 in conference play.

The Bulldogs shutdown Saint Francis' potent attack as goalkeepers Kelsi Jacob (Mahwah, NJ.) and Lauren Viverito (Dayton Park, NJ) combined to give Bryant its fourth straight clean sheet, extending the Bulldog shutout streak to 399 minutes.

Hinck's game winner for the Bulldogs came in the 16^th minute. Alyssa Kozlowski (Ellicott City, MD) made a run down the left flank before sending in a cross along the endline. The freshman's cross eluded Saint Francis goalkeeper Lauren Fearer and Hinck headed it into the empty net for her third goal of the season.

Hinck also had the first opportunity of the match in just the second minute, getting the ball inside the box and creating some space before attempting a shot. Her effort deflected off a Saint Francis defender and landed just wide of the far post.

The Red Flash had an early opportunity in the seventh minute when a low cross from the left flank found its way through to Barbara Maros de Carvalho near the six-yard box. Maros de Carvalho attempted a quick shot, but her effort was just high of the net.

Steph Del Mistro (East Williston, NY.) created a chance for Bryant in the 26^th minute, intercepting a pass from the Saint Francis defense and dribbling forward before sending a low shot to the near post. Del Mistro's effort was on target, but a well positioned Fearer was there to make the save.

Tata had possibly the best chance of the match for Saint Francis just two minutes before half time when a deep cross from the left flank found her at the far post. Tata attempted to volley a shot, but her effort was high of the target.

Bryant had a great chance in the 61^st minute off another cross from Kozlowski. Kozlowski's effort again found Hinck at the near post just a few yards from goal, but her attempted volley was just high of the net.

Jacob helped preserve the shutout for the Bulldogs in the 63^rd minute, when she made a diving save to stop a driven shot from Traci Flick.

Ari Goldberg (East Bridgewater, MA.) forced a save out of substitute goalkeeper Brianna Butcher in the 75^th minute, playing a nice one-two at the top of the box to get free before driving a low shot to the far corner. Butcher was equal to it, diving to keep the deficit for the Red Flash at 1.

Jacob came up big for the Bulldogs in the 77^th minute, when Maros de Carvalho had a chance on a breakaway. Jacob was quick off her line to deny the shot and Haleigh Dunyon sent the rebound well high of the net.

Saint Francis had one last chance to equalize with just three minutes remaining when McKibben managed to get on the end of a cross from the right flank. Her header went wide of the far post.

The Bulldogs go back on the road Friday, October 15, traveling to take on Wagner at 3 p.m. before returning home to play Long Island on Sunday, October 17 at 1PM.