Women's soccer releases 2013 slate

WOMEN'S SOCCER OPENS 2013 CAMPAIGN AT HARTFORD ON FRIDAY, AUG. 23

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Looking to build off its record-setting 2012 campaign, the Bryant University women's soccer team has officially announced its 2013 regular season schedule.

Posting a Division I-record 11 wins a season ago, including six victories against Northeast Conference opponents, the Bulldogs will look to contend once again for their first-ever berth to the NEC Tournament in 2013.

The Black and Gold will open non-conference action on the road at Hartford on Aug. 23 before returning to Smithfield for their home opener on Aug. 25 for a rematch with the University of Maine. Bryant will close out August with a trip to Rider on Friday, Aug. 30, looking to avenge a 2011 loss in Smithfield.

September will include several familiar foes for Bryant, beginning with a match at Delaware State on Sept. 1. The Bulldogs will also faceoff with intrastate-rival URI on Sept. 6 in Smithfield, and hit the road for matches at Holy Cross (Sept. 10), Vermont (Sept. 22) and UMass (Sept. 26). The Black and Gold are also slated for contests at Rutgers on Sept. 13 and vs. New Hampshire on Sept. 20.

"We are very happy with the strength of our non-conference schedule," said head coach Chris Flint. "It's nice to get Brown back on the schedule and we will be playing Rutgers for the first time which should be a great challenge for us on the road."

The Bulldogs close out non-league play at Brown on Wednesday, Oct. 2 before kicking off NEC action vs. Sacred Heart on Sunday, Oct. 6. From there, Bryant will hit the road for the Pennsylvania road trip, first visiting Robert Morris on Oct. 11 before doing battle with 2012 NEC Regular Season Champ Saint Francis U. on Oct. 13.The Bulldogs will close out the three-game road trip at Fairleigh Dickinson on Oct. 18, heading home for a pair vs. Mount St. Mary's on Oct. 20 and Wagner on Oct. 25. Bryant will wrap up the month of October with a trip to defending NEC Tournament Champion LIU Brooklyn on Oct. 27, before closing out the 2013 regular season with a match against Central Connecticut State on Nov. 1 in Smithfield.

"With two less teams in the conference this season it just makes every game that much more important," added Flint. "In the past you may have had a larger margin for error but with just eight conference games this season, every one counts."

The Bulldogs will host Lafayette in an exhibition match on Aug. 18 (1 p.m.) before opening regular season action at Hartford on Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.

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