Hannagen's two helpers pace 3-1 victory

TWO LATE STRIKES PUSH BULLDOGS PAST RAMS, 3-1

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team received goals from three different players, including two in a five-minute span late in the second half, and a pair of assists from sophomore Caitlin Hannagen (Richboro, Pa.) to earn a 3-1 victory over Rhode Island on Friday afternoon at the Bulldog Soccer Field.

With the win, the Bulldogs (2-3) have won their last two games and have outscored their opponents 5-1 in that span.

The Black and Gold and the Rams (2-3) traded goals in the first half before a late surge broke the deadlock. In the 77^th minute, Hannagen collected the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and slid it across to junior Suzanne Sanders (West Chester, Pa.) on the right side. Sanders received the pass and lofted a shot to the far left post to beat the Rams' keeper and give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead. The goal was Sanders's third in the last two games. Five minutes later, Hannagen once again sent a pass to the right side of the 18 and this time sophomore Rachael Ivanicki (Colts Neck, N.J.) rocketed a shot underneath the crossbar to make it 3-1.

The Bulldogs got on the board first thanks to a penalty kick. Ivanicki was fouled in the box as she attempted to shoot and senior Shana Follette (Plymouth, Mass.) converted on the ensuing penalty to give Bryant a 1-0 lead in the 13^th minute.

Rhode Island answered late in the first half to tie the game at 1-1. Donika Murray raced up the near sideline, worked her away around the Bryant keeper and then slotted the ball inside the far right post for her first collegiate goal.

Prior to the Black and Gold taking the lead, it was the Rams that had two chances to convert. Just over 10 minutes into the second half, Samantha Alves dribbled down the near wing and ripped a shot on cage but it rattled off the near post and deflected away. Later in the half, Jennifer Barrientos nearly put the Rams up by a marker but freshman Kaylan Conrad (Avon, Conn.) jumped high and punched her shot just over the cross bar.

Making her fourth start of the year, Conrad earned her first collegiate victory in the net for the Bulldogs. Thanks to a stifling defense that blocked eight shots in the game, Conrad needed to make just one save. The Black and Gold on the other hand, forced URI keeper Reilly Lindsey to make nine saves in the match. Hannagen's two assists were the first two points of her collegiate career.

The Bulldogs will have the rest of the weekend off before traveling to Worcester, Mass., to face Holy Cross on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.

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