Women's soccer hosts a pair this weekend

BULLDOGS HOST NEC FOES LIU FRIDAY AND QUINNIPIAC SUNDAY BOTH AT 3 PM

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Coming off a 2-1 victory over Central Connecticut State on Sunday, the Bryant University women's soccer team looks to improve upon its 2-2 Northeast Conference record over the week when they welcome two more NEC opponents.

The Bulldogs (7-6, 2-2) will host defending NEC Tournament Champion LIU Brooklyn on Friday at 3 p.m. before welcoming Quinnipiac to Smithfield on Sunday (3 p.m.).

On Sunday, the Black and Gold had an impressive showing in New Britain, Conn., defeating Central Connecticut State for the first time in program history.

Bryant got on the scoreboard first at the 13 minute mark when Carolyn Giuliano (Wethersfield, Conn.) found the back of the net to give the Bulldogs the early 1-0 advantage. Off a corner, Shana Follette (Plymouth, Mass.) collected the ball in the box and fed Giuliano in front of the net for her second marker of 2012.

The Blue Devils were able to equalize in the 21st minute when Kerriann Welch delivered a pass to Jewel Robinson who found the back of the net from the right corner of the box.

In the 58th minute, Follette gave the Bulldogs a 2-1 advantage when she scored her fourth goal of 2012 in what proved to be the game winning goal.

Entering weekend play, Bryant prepares to host two difficult opponents that are primed to be in the thick of things come November.

"LIU is a very strong team," said Bryant head coach Chris Flint. "And I think their record is a bit misleading as they have played an outstanding schedule thus far."

The Blackbirds come to Smithfield with a 3-7-2 overall record, posting a 1-1-2 mark in the NEC. Their lone win in conference play came on Sunday in the form of a 3-0 victory over Wagner. LIU is led by Toni Smith who has amassed four of the team's eight goals this season. Senior Jennifer Bannon and junior Jessica Sexton shared the netminding duties for the Blackbirds, posting a combined 1.29 goals-against average and a .660 save percentage.

Quinnipiac enters weekend play with a 6-3-2 overall record (2-1-1 NEC), currently sitting in third place in the NEC standings (one spot above Bryant). Senior Kemesha Woodfine leads her team in scoring, registering three goals through nine games. Senior Jillian Kelley and freshman Natalia Grodzki share duties in net for the Bobcats, posting a whopping seven shutouts through only eleven total games. Quinnipiac will begin the weekend at Wagner Friday afternoon before heading to Smithfield for a showdown with the Bulldogs.

"We are definitely playing the 'top of the conference' early", added Flint. "And I like that because it tests us and we have to be prepared for those tough games."

"We know we have to be better for 90 minutes if we want to compete with those top teams, and when we have two of these teams coming here this weekend, it's just another great opportunity to test ourselves."

Bryant will be looking to avenge 2011 losses to both programs, falling to LIU, 4-1, last October before dropping a 2-0 decision to Quinnipiac in the season finale.

The Bulldogs will play two of their remaining four home games over the weekend as they look to move up the conference standings in hopes of a postseason berth.

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