Ivanicki, Benson connect in 86th minute in 1-0 win

IVANICKI LIFTS BRYANT PAST HOLY CROSS, 1-0, WITH 86TH-MINUTE SCORE

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – With less than five minutes remaining in the contest, sophomore forward Rachael Ivanicki (Colts Neck, N.J.) converted on an assist from classmate Scout Benson (Lynnfield, Mass.) to lift the Bryant University women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Holy Cross Tuesday night.

For the second-straight year, Ivanicki has provided the go-ahead, last-minute goal for Bryant's dramatic victory Holy Cross. The Bulldogs' third-straight W brings them back to .500 at 3-3, while Holy Cross falls to 0-4-1 with the loss.

With time winding down, and both squads essentially gridlocked through the first 85 minutes of play, Benson crossed the ball from midfield toward a racing Ivanicki up ahead. The New Jersey native beat the Crusader defenders and goalkeeper Carly McCabe to the ball at the top of the box, putting just enough touch on the shot for it to trickle off the post and into the back of the net.

The goal marks Ivanicki's second of the year, while Benson picks up her first assist as a Bryant Bulldog. Freshman netminder Kaylan Conrad (Avon, Conn.) made three saves in her second victory of the year, while McCabe stopped three Bryant chances, allowing the single goal.

Bryant will have just a few days to prepare for a very talented Rutgers team, when the Bulldogs head to Piscataway, N.J., for a showdown with the Scarlet Knights on Friday (5:30 p.m.).

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