Bulldogs edge Mountaineers 2-1

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – With its three seniors playing for the final time of their careers at Bulldog Stadium, the Bryant University women's soccer team sent off its leaders in style, taking down Mount St. Mary's University, 2-1, on Friday afternoon in Smithfield. 

With the win, the Bulldogs (8-7-3, 4-4-1 Northeast Conference) have clinched at least a .500 winning percentage for the first time since joining the Division I ranks.  The Mountaineers fall to 6-9-2 on the year, with a 4-5 conference mark.

The Black and Gold were paced by senior Kaitlyn Hinck (Bow, N.H.), who put the home team ahead at 37:27.  The Granite State native took a serve from junior Alex Bengston (Andover, Mass.) and dribbled around two defenders before unloading a shot into the right side of the net.  It was Hinck's fourth marker of the year, and 17^th of her impressive career.

Just three minutes into the second half, the Bulldogs gave the home crowd of nearly 150 reason to cheer again, as rookie Danielle Scheuer (Acton, Mass.) came up with a loose ball at the top of the box and rifled it off the right post, off the goalkeeper and into the twine to double up Bryant's lead at 2-0.  Hinck and sophomore Ari Goldberg (East Bridgewater, Mass.) were credited with assists on the play after setting up the cross and touching the pass back to Scheuer.  It was the Bay State native's first collegiate goal.

The Mountaineers made it a game on a goal off a turnover in the 69^th minute, as Ragan Cote picked off an errant pass and set up Sadie Winship, who ripped it into the right side of the net to cut the Bulldogs' lead in half.

But a stout Bryant defense, led by fellow seniors Mary Green (Merrick, N.Y.) and Stephanie Morse (Warwick, R.I.) kept the visitors at bay.  In the end, the Bulldogs walked off with the win on a cold, winter-like afternoon.

It was a tale of two halves for both squads, as the Bulldogs absolutely dominated the first frame, holding a commanding 10-3 advantage in shot attempts.  After scoring early in the second, it appeared as if that trend would continue, but the Mountaineers continued to put pressure throughout the half.  The visitors nearly had two other goals, one in the 60^th minute when a shot on a wide open net deflected off the right post and another on a breakaway in the 80^th minute that was broken up by sophomore Lauren Viverito (Dayton Park, N.J.), as both teams were even with nine shots apiece in the second stanza.

In total, the Bulldogs led in shot attempts, 19-12, and finished with a 4-1 lead in corner kicks.  Fouls were almost even, with Bryant leading 8-7. 

Viverito finished the afternoon with four saves, while Alicia Miller stopped three chances for the Mountaineers, and also benefited from one team save in the first half.

Bryant will conclude a historic 2011 season on Sunday when it travels to Quinnipiac for an afternoon tilt in Hamden, Conn.  First whistle is slated for 12 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.