Bulldogs close season with 1-0 win

WOMEN'S SOCCER TOPS MOUNT ST. MARY'S, 1-0, TO KEEP PLAYOFF CHANCES ALIVE

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – For the third-straight game the Bryant University women's soccer team earned a 1-0 victory, this time, Friday afternoon at Mount St. Mary's.

The Bulldogs (11-8, 6-4 NEC) will close out the 2012 regular season in dramatic fashion, winning their last three matches by a combined total of 3-0.

Friday in Emmitsburg, Md., the Bulldogs and Mountaineers played even for more than 96 minutes before Bryant junior Shana Follette (Plymouth, Mass.) put home her eighth score of the season to break the scoreless tie and grant her team the one-goal victory.

"We were able to create a lot of dangerous scoring chances," said Bryant head coach Chris Flint. "But by being the aggressor, we made ourselves vulnerable for counters on the other end."

In a one-goal game that could have been 3-3, the Bulldogs applied steady pressure throughout the match, outshooting the hosts 20-8.

Just before regulation ended, the Mountaineers nearly put away a last second score that was swiftly cleared out by junior Alyssa Kozlowski (Elliot City, Md.), neutralizing any scoring chance for the home team.

The lone goal of the match came in the 97th minute when freshman Rachael Ivanicki (Colts Neck, N.J.) advanced the ball up the left side of the pitch, beating her defender to the end line. Ivanicki collected herself and cut the ball back into the box to Follette who put the ball into the back of the net.

"It was a great goal," added Flint. "A great individual effort by Rachael, and a great finish by Shana."

Senior Kelsi Jacob (Mahwah, N.J.) made four saves in her third start of the season while Rachel Bourne and Vicky Cocozza combined for five stops.

The fate of the Bulldogs postseason chances is currently out of their hands, as Sacred Heart and Quinnipiac still have contests remaining that will determine the final NEC Tournament participants.

"We are certainly hoping things go our way," said Flint. "These last three games have been a testament to how far we have come this season."

 "To set a [D I] program record for wins is such a great accomplishment in itself, so no matter what happens I am very proud."

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