Bulldogs drop home opener 3-2 to UMass

The Bulldogs fell, 3-2, to the Minutewomen in home opener

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team fell, 3-2, on Wednesday to the University of Massachusetts at Bulldog Stadium in its 2012 home opener.

Paced by two goals from sophomore midfielder Moa Mattsson, the Minutewomen (1-1) notched their first victory of the 2012 season, while the Bulldogs (1-1) were turned aside on several close scoring chances that kept them from notching the equalizer.

Early in the 24th minute, UMass senior Jess Howe delivered a pass from midfield to freshman forward Jen Coppola, who won the ball from a Bryant defender at the corner of the 18-yard box to set up a one-on-one with Bryant goalkeeper Lauren Viverito (Dayton, N.J.). The UMass forward snuck the ball past Viverito to give the Minutewomen an early 1-0 advantage.

The visitors struck again in the 42nd minute when sophomore Moa Mattsson received a pass from classmate Emily Benjamin 30 yards out. From five yards outside the box, Mattsson lofted a beautifully placed ball over Viverito's head for her second goal of the season, increasing the lead to 2-0.

It took senior captain Alex Bengston (Andover, Mass.) just 72 seconds to put the Bulldogs on the board, notching her first goal of 2012. The shot came off a direct kick that sailed over the UMass defense, ricocheting off the far post and into the back of the net, bringing the Bulldogs within one.

Nearly 20 seconds later, Mattsson beat Viverito for a second time off a quick pass from sophomore Alyssa D'Arcy inside the 18-yard box to put the Minutewomen up, 3-1, heading into halftime.

"Heading into the second half, I told the team we need to score within the first 15 minutes," said Bryant head coach Chris Flint.

The Bulldogs heeded Flint's message. Junior Ari Goldberg (East Bridgewater, Mass.) was fouled in the box, setting up a penalty kick in the 56th minute. Goldberg stepped up and booted the ball off the crossbar and into the back of the net for her first goal of the season to bring the Bulldogs within one for the second time in the match.

Despite outshooting its opponent throughout the game, Bryant was unable to overcome the 3-2 deficit.

"It's a frustrating loss," said Flint. "We had several opportunities to equalize, and we were unable to take advantage.

"We put in a better effort than the result shows, but we just weren't good enough with the ball," he added.  "We created a lot of good opportunities, and that is definitely a positive. We just need to start capitalizing on those, and I think we'll be fine."

The Bulldogs outshot the Minutewomen, 28-12, in the game, with 17 of those shots coming in the second half. UMass senior goalkeeper Stephanie Gordon earned her first victory of the season, tallying 12 saves in the second half (16 in the game). Viverito finished the contest with five stops.

The Bryant women's soccer team returns to the pitch on Sunday when it hosts Citadel at Bulldog Stadium at 11 a.m.

For all the latest information on Bryant University women's soccer, visit BryantBulldogs.com