Saint Francis (PA) blanks Bulldogs, 3-0

LORETTO, Pa. – The Bryant University women's soccer team was blanked by conference leader Saint Francis (PA) on Friday, dropping a 3-0 decision on a cold and rainy afternoon at DeGol Field in Northeast Conference play.

The Bulldogs (6-7-3, 2-4-1 NEC) trailed by just one goal heading into the locker room after the first half, but the Red Flash (10-5-1, 6-0-1) doubled their lead four minutes into the second half, and added an insurance tally in the 64^th minute to seal the victory and remain unbeaten in conference play.

The Black and Gold more than held their own throughout the first half.  SFU came out firing, taking the first four shots of the game, but the Bulldogs quickly settled down.  After sophomore Ari Goldberg (East Bridgewater, Mass.) attempted Bryant's first shot of the game, the Black and Gold were awarded a corner kick in the 13^th minute, but could not convert. 

Both teams exchanged scoring chances for the next 20 minutes until the home team broke through in the 35^th minute.  Aryn Askin took a pass from Alecia McNiff and sent a shot that beat netminder Lauren Viverito (Dayton Park, N.J.) to her right for the go-ahead goal at 34:31. 

After the break, the Bulldogs took to the field looking for an early answer to Askin's goal.  Goldberg nearly gave them that answer at 47:40, but her attempt went wide.

Two minutes later, the Red Flash doubled up their lead, as Eloa Nascimento beat Viverito from the right side of the net at the 15-yard mark, putting SFU up 2-0.  Tracki Flick and Briana Tata were credited with an assist each after two direct passes set up the scoring play for Nascimento.

Down two goals, the Bulldogs picked up their intensity, as Bryant fired off back-to-back shots in the 55^th minute.  The Bulldogs' closest chance perhaps came in the 63^rd minute, as freshman Carolyn Giuliano (Wethersfield, Conn.) headed the ball on net, but SFU goalkeeper Brianna Butcher came up with the save.

Conference scoring leader Tesa McKibben iced the game in the 64^th minute with her 11^th marker of the year on a breakaway.  Beatriz Maros de Carvalho and Flick set up the play for the Red Flash.

Viverito finished the afternoon with five saves, while Butcher denied four Bryant attempts.

In total, the Bulldogs were outshot 14-9, but held more fouls, leading by a 4-2 margin. 

Bryant will next take on Robert Morris on Sunday afternoon.  Game time is set for 1 p.m.

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.