Bulldogs fall short in RI showdown

Alex Bengston tallies lone score in Bryant's 2-1 loss to URI

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team fell, 2-1, Sunday on the road to URI in only their second loss of the season.

Senior midfielder Alex Bengston (Andover, Mass.) netted her second goal of 2012 halfway through the second half,  however despite a late push to equalize, the Bulldogs (3-2) came up short against the Rams who improve to 4-1 on the season.

The Rams struck first in the tenth minute when Lucy Gildein collected a rebound off of Bryant keeper Lauren Viverito (Dayton, N.J.) to put home her second goal of the season, giving URI the early 1-0 advantage. Despite four shots on goal in the opening half, the Bulldogs were unable to tally a score.

In the 53rd minute, Ashley Evangelista tallied the second score of the game for the Rams and her second of the season. Evangelista received the pass from Gildein and fired a strike from about the top of the box to beat Viverito, doubling the URI advantage to 2-0.

In the 70^th minute, sophomore Katy Biagi (Natick, Mass.) received the ball off a cross and delivered a quick pass to Bengston in front of the goal for her second score of the season, cutting the URI lead in half.

The Bengston goal would be the lone goal in the contest for the Bulldogs who were outshot by the Rams, 13-12. Freshman Rachael Ivanicki (Colts Neck, N.J.) finished the match with four shots on goal. Ivanicki scored her first collegiate goal last game in the 1-0 win over Holy Cross.

Viverito had four saves in the game, three of which came in the final 45 minutes. URI goalkeeper Reilly Lindsey finished the game with six saves in her second win of the season.

The Black and Gold have a few days of practice before returning to the pitch on Friday in the first of two games in Colorado Spring, Colo. The Bulldogs start with a 6 p.m. showdown with Colorado College on Friday and a 2 p.m. matchup with Air Force on Sunday. Bryant's next home game will be on Friday, Sept. 14 when Delaware St. comes to Smithfield.

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