Green's two goals lead Bryant over FDU

TEANECK, N.J. – Senior captain Mary Green (Merrick, N.Y.) scored a career-high two goals, and the Bryant University women's soccer team cruised to a 3-0 blanking of Fairleigh Dickinson University in a Northeast Conference showdown on Sunday afternoon at University Stadium.

The Bulldogs (6-6-3, 2-3-1 NEC) ended a two-game losing streak in commanding fashion, as Green and sophomore Julie Vajda (Midland Park, N.J.) combined for all three Bryant goals, with sophomore Ari Goldberg (East Bridgewater, Mass.) picking up two assists on the day.

Bryant's sixth victory of the season marks a new team record in wins in a single season since beginning Division-I play during the 2008 season.  Last year, the Bulldogs finished 5-13-2. 

In the 17^th minute, Bryant drew a foul just outside the FDU box, where Goldberg set up to take the free kick.  The sophomore sent the ball toward the far post, where Green was waiting to head it into the net.

The Knights (4-9-1, 1-6 NEC) did not record a shot attempt in the first half, as a stout Bryant attack kept the ball in FDU's half of the field for the majority of the frame.  Despite attempting four more shots from that point on, the Bulldogs were kept off the board for the remainder of the half.

After halftime, the Bulldogs continued the offensive onslaught, reeling off the first four shot attempts of the second half, but FDU came right back with three straight shots by Alexa Tirelli in a three-minute span.  Sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Viverito (Dayton Park, N.J.) was up to the task, making two saves during that time to keep the Bryant lead intact.

The Bulldogs stole the momentum back with Vajda's goal at 71:53, putting the visitors up 2-0.  Goldberg crossed the ball into the box, where Vajda volleyed it straight into the net for her second marker of the season.

Three minutes later, it was Green again, as the senior headed in a corner kick from sophomore Alyssa Kozlowski (Ellicott City, Md.) to ice the match with her second goal of the game – and third in her career.

The Knights nearly broke up the shutout bid in the 85^th minute after Amy Flanagan's shot ricocheted off the crossbar, but that would be the closet FDU would come to finding the back of the net.

Viverito finished the day with two saves, while FDU's Stephanie Tanzi recorded four over the afternoon.  The sophomore netminder improves to 3-1-2 on the season, while lowering her goals against average to 1.56.

Bryant finished the game with a commanding lead in shots taken (16-4) and corner kicks (7-1).

The Bulldogs will travel to Pennsylvania next weekend, facing Saint Francis (PA) on Friday (Oct. 21) before rounding out the weekend at Robert Morris two days later.  The Bulldogs will return to Smithfield on Oct. 28 for their last home match of the season against Mount St. Mary's.

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