W. Soccer kicks off Homecoming Weekend

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Kicking off Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, the Bryant University women's soccer team will open up an exciting two-day celebration on campus, squaring off against Wagner College on Friday (Sept. 23) afternoon at Sutton Field to mark the beginning of Northeast Conference play.  Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs (3-3-2) are looking to get back in the win column after battling to a scoreless draw against the University of New Hampshire in their last outing on Sept. 18.  The Seahawks enter Friday with an overall record of 5-1-2, sitting atop the conference with just one loss through their first eight games. 

Bryant will be looking to push ahead in the series history, as both teams have played three times and are an even 1-1-1 against each other.  Most recently, Bryant was handed a 2-1 setback on Oct. 15, 2010, with current junior Jennifer Harding (Lancaster, Mass.) posting the only goal for the Bulldogs in that game.  Bryant won the first game of the series, a 3-2 victory, back on Oct. 15, 2008, when current senior captain Kaitlyn Hinck (Bow, N.H.) found the back of the net twice.

Wagner finished 2010 with an overall record of 6-13-2, while ending up in ninth place in the NEC standings.  Sixth-year head coach Mike Minielli returns eight starters from that team, and that experience has paid off, as the Seahawks have fared well at the start of the season.  Wagner most recently fought to a 1-1 draw against Manhattan College on Sept. 18, a team that Bryant defeated, 1-0, earlier this year.  Julie Vigliotti leads all players with six points on two goals and two assists, while Jackie Nicholas and Kaitlyn Llewellyn also have found the back of the net twice.  Kate Marcy has started seven games in net, holding opponents to 0.95 goals per game and has posted a save percentage of .889.

Bryant has been paced by Hinck and rookie Suzanne Sanders (West Chester, Pa.), with both atop the team leader board with five points on two goals and an assist.  Sophomore Shana Follette (Plymouth, Mass.) also boasts a pair of markers, while classmate Ari Goldberg (East Bridgewater, Mass.) leads the team in total shots with 19 attempted.  As a team, Bryant is atop the NEC in shots per game (22.00).  On the defensive side, the Bulldogs have been dominant through the last three games, as the backline has earned two shutouts in that span while lowering its season goals-against average to 1.50.  Through eight games, the Bulldogs have allowed one goal or less on five occasions, and have allowed more than two goals just twice.  Adding to that impressive stat, the defense has limited opponents to 14.2 shots per game with only 45-of-114 opposing shots landing on target (.395 SOG%).

 The Black and Gold goaltending has been manned by a pair of New Jersey natives, as Kelsi Jacob (Mahwah, N.J.) and Lauren Viverito (Dayton Park, N.J.) have both seen time between the posts for the Bulldogs.  Both have turned in solid efforts, with Jacob logging 546:22 minutes and holding opponents to a 1.15 GAA and a .774 save percentage.  Viverito has combined for 213:38 minutes and sports a 2.11 GAA with a .615 save percentage. 

Bryant will next take to the pitch in two days, welcoming Monmouth University to Bulldog Stadium for a Sunday afternoon matchup.  Game time is set for 1 p.m.  Fans are encouraged to stick around all weekend long as Homecoming and Reunion Weekend continues on Saturday, Sept. 24.  Alumni teams will be competing in games on Sutton Field during the morning before the field hockey team battles Colgate at the Track and Turf Complex at 11 a.m.  Finally, the football team will face Wagner in the annual Homecoming Game at Bulldog Stadium at 1 p.m.

For continuing coverage of Bryant women's soccer, check back at www.bryantbulldogs.com, and follow the Bulldogs on Twitter @BryantAthletics.