Bulldogs drop 3-0 decision to Rider

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team fell 3-0 to Rider University on Friday afternoon at Bulldog Stadium.

Paced by a hat trick from sophomore Jennifer Meier (Sayville, N.Y.), the Broncs (1-1-1) notched their first victory of the season, while the Bulldogs (0-1-1) were turned aside on several close scoring chances that kept them off the board.

In the 24^th minute, Meier received a pass from junior back Kaitlin Wylie (Croydon, Pa.) and set up from the right side of the 18-yard line, where she tucked home a shot in the upper right corner of the net to put Rider on the board.

Meier doubled the visitors' lead in the opening minutes of the second half, as she received the ball outside of the 18-yard box on the far right side of the field, dribbled in and deposited the ball in the upper left corner of the net.  Junior defender Kate Stevens (Deddington, England) picked up the helper on the play.

Two minutes later, Meier completed the hat trick on a broken play in the six-yard box, after a scrum resulted in a loose ball that the sophomore was able to put home, putting the Broncs up 3-0.

Bryant had its chances throughout the course of the game, but was shut out by the goaltending duo of redshirt-freshman Danielle Singson (Deer Park, N.Y.) and junior Jenn Nichols (Stratham, N.H.).  The pair garnered 11 saves combined, including four for Singson in the first half and seven for Nichols in the second.

Bryant junior Kelsi Jacob (Mahwah, N.J.) received the start in net for Bryant, turning aside three shots on goal on six attempts. 

The Black and Gold will next return to the pitch on Friday, Sept. 2.  The Bulldogs will welcome Manhattan College to Bulldog Stadium for a 1 p.m. matchup.  For continuing coverage of Bryant women's soccer, check back at BryantBulldogs.com and follow the Bulldogs on Twitter @BryantAthletics.