Women's soccer edges Robert Morris

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Paced by goals from sophomore Ari Goldberg (East Bridgewater, Mass.) and senior Kaitlyn Hinck (Bow, N.H.), the Bryant University women's soccer team took down Robert Morris, 2-1, in Northeast Conference play on Sunday at the North Athletic Complex. 

The Bulldogs (7-7-3, 3-4-1 NEC) evened out their season record, moving back to .500 with the victory, while the Colonials move to 10-7-1 with a 4-4 conference mark, pushing them into fifth place in league standings.

Both teams played an even game, totaling 11 shot attempts each.  Bryant held a commanding 5-1 lead in corner kicks, while the Colonials were whistled for more fouls (15-10).

Robert Morris nearly had the first goal of the game in the 12^th minute, when Rachel Sebbens came up with a centering pass from a teammate at the top of the box.  But junior goalkeeper Kelsi Jacob (Mahwah, N.J.) came all the way off her line to cut the angle off on the shot, and was able to make the save.

Immediately afterward, the Bulldogs came marching back the other way to set up a scoring play of their own.  Sophomore Shana Follette (Plymouth, Mass.) dribbled the ball to the left corner before sending a perfect cross into the box.  Waiting to strike was Goldberg, who buried a shot into the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

After the goal, both teams would manage a few more scoring chances, but none that had an impact, as the Bulldogs took their one-goal lead into the locker room heading into the break.

Right off the opening whistle of the second half, Bryant had a chance to double up its lead in the 47^th minute after a flick header by junior Alex Bengston (Andover, Mass.) set up Goldberg alone on the right side of the box.  But RMU netminder Jess Olin was up to the task, coming up with a key save.

Following that play, the Colonials quickly came back the other way on a counter attack.  Jaimie Morra sent in a cross that Johanna Kadam attempted to volley, but the attempt sailed over the net from just about 10 yards away from the net.

Later in the half, an RMU defender was whistled for a foul in the box, leading to a Bulldogs penalty kick in the 73^rd minute.  Hinck took advantage of the opportunity, drililng the shot into the right side of the twine to give Bryant a 2-0 lead.

Looking to make a late comeback, the Colonials clawed back to within one in the 84^th minute on a goal from Kadam.  Brianna Bell won a ball along the endline and played a low cross from the right side to the middle of the box.  Kadam promptly dove at the ball, sending a sharp header into the left corner to cut the Bulldogs' lead in half with about six minutes to go.  But that would be the closest Robert Morris would come, as the Black and Gold held on for the road win.

Jacob finished the afternoon with three saves, while Olin turned aside four shots.

Bryant wraps up the season next weekend with a pair of games at home against Mount St. Mary's (Oct. 28) and at Quinnipiac (Oct. 30).  The program will honor the team's three seniors during a special pregame ceremony on Friday afternoon prior to kickoff against the Mountaineers.  Game time is set for 3:30 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.