Women's soccer battles CCSU Friday in New Britain

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team will look to snap a two-game skid when they visit Central Connecticut State on Friday for a 7 p.m. match in New Britain, Conn.

The Bulldogs, who enter Friday's contest with a 1-3-1 Northeast Conference record, are currently tied for seventh in the NEC standings. After opening league play with a 1-0-1 mark, the Black and Gold dropped a pair of tough losses over the weekend, but their three remaining matches are against the three teams currently tied for the fourth and final spot in the NEC Tournament.

"Our remaining schedule puts us in a unique position," said Bryant head coach Chris Flint. "A win on Friday certainly doesn't allow us to completely control our own destiny but it would put us in a strong position heading into the final weekend."

On Friday, the Bulldogs will do battle with a very good Blue Devil team who enters the weekend with a 7-5-3 overall record, 2-2-1 in the NEC (tied for fourth). Senior Tori Sousa leads her team with 14 points on five goals and four assists while classmate Julia Lavoie and sophomore Alysa Christo have each scored three markers this season. Sophomore goalkeeper Nikki Turley has logged almost every minute in goal for the Blue Devils, allowing just 15 goals in 14 starts. Last season in Smithfield, CCSU took down the Bulldogs, 2-1, in overtime.

"Central Connecticut is a very good team," added Flint. "They've had some quality results against good teams, but we have always had very competitive, back-and-forth matches with them in the past.

They have a great facility and always draw a big crowd, but we have won there in the past, so for us it's just a matter of cashing in on our chances when it matters most."

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