Bulldogs ready to open NEC play

WOMEN'S SOCCER OPENS NEC PLAY THIS WEEKEND AT WAGNER AND MONMOUTH

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Coming off two-straight wins over the weekend, the Bryant University women's soccer team will head to Wagner Friday afternoon and Monmouth on Sunday to open Northeast Conference play.

After defeating Delaware St., 2-1, last Friday and Vermont, 3-1, on Sunday, the Bulldogs will look to build on a two-game win streak as they prepare for their first NEC competition as a Division I postseason-eligible program.

After a last minute goal by reigning NEC Player of the Week Ari Goldberg (East Bridgewater, Mass.) propelled Bryant to a 2-1 victory over Delaware St. on Friday, the Bulldogs were back on the pitch Sunday afternoon for a showdown with the University of Vermont.

Junior Shana Follette (Plymouth, Mass) got things started in the 12th minute when she launched a beautiful shot over Catamount keeper Ally Ramos for her second score of the season. Less than ten minutes later, Kaitlyn Fare (Millstone Township, N.J.) delivered a beautiful ball into the box to Goldberg who headed it past Ramos for her fourth score of the year, increasing the Bulldog lead to 2-0.

The Black and Gold registered their third goal in the 68th minute when junior Julie Vajda (Midland Park, N.J.) collected a ball in the box to beat the keeper for her first score of 2012. The lone Catamount goal came in the 86th minute when Haleigh Gill broke away from the defense and beat Bryant keeper Kelsi Jacob (Mahwah, N.J.) for her first score of the year.

The Black and Gold (5-4) will begin their long-awaited 2012 NEC slate on Friday afternoon when they head to Staten Island, N.Y. to visit Wagner College. Game time is set for 4 p.m.

"NEC games on the road are always difficult," said Bryant head coach Chris Flint. "And Wagner is especially tough at home."

The Seahawks enter Friday's match with a record of 3-6, after falling to Lafayette on the road, 4-0, on Sunday. Wagner looks to improve upon its 9-8-2 mark from last season led by their two leading scorers, junior Jackie Nicholas and senior Julie Vigliotti. Currently, Nicholas and Vigliotti both sit atop the list of Seahawk point leaders with 11 points apiece.

Last season, the Bulldogs defeated Wagner, 2-0, in Smithfield. Senior Regan Marin (Bedford, N.Y.) and Vajda both scored in a shutout effort by Bryant.

The Black and Gold will head to Monmouth to close out weekend play on Sunday in a 1 p.m. match. Last season the Hawks finished 11-8 going 7-3 in the NEC, good for a third place finish. Monmouth is led by junior Dana Costello who has amassed 11 points (second in the NEC) on five goals and one assist.

"Games against Monmouth are useful to measure where your team is at," added Flint. "They're always in or around the top four in the conference."

The Bulldogs fell to the Hawks last season, 2-0, in Smithfield despite outshooting their opponents, 19-9.

"Although I am happy we are 5-4," said Flint. "We start fresh again on Friday."

"I keep telling the team that the current records aren't indicative of what the final standings will be, so we need to play our best soccer every match."

The Bulldogs have an opportunity to get off to a strong start over the weekend with two formidable opponents on tap.

For links to live stats and video of this weekend's action and all the latest information on Bryant University women's soccer, visit BryantBulldogs.com.