2-0 Bulldogs spend weekend in Connecticut competing in Yale Classic

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team will look to build on the first 2-0 start in its Division I history when it partakes in this weekend's Yale Classic, taking on the hosts on Friday at 4:00 p.m. and Fairfield on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.  

Matchup with Yale

The battle of the Bulldogs last took place in Bryant's inaugural Division I season in 2008. Senior goalie Kaylan Conrad (Avon, Conn.) will have her hands full against a balanced and deep Yale offense looking to start its season strong, led almost entirely by underclassmen. Sophomores Michelle Alozie and Sofia Griff each led the Elis with 16 points on six goals and four assists in 2015. Classmate Keri Cavallo tallied six points, netting a trio of goals. Griff was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team and Alozie earned an honorable mention nod.

The defense is also deep, young and talented. Junior Hannah Coy also earned Ivy-League honorable mention recognition in 2015. Sophomores Brittany Simpson and Fallon Sheridan started 13 of the 15 games and nine of the 16 games they appeared in last year, respectively.  

Matchup with Fairfield

The Bulldogs have faced the Stags three times since joining the Division I ranks and are 1-2, but claimed a 3-1 victory last season. Bryant jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first 64 minutes in that matchup thanks to an own goal and a pair of unassisted goals from juniors Hannah Crofut (East Amherst, N.Y.) and Alyssa Riccione (Mohnton, Pa.). Current senior Anna Borea scored the lone Fairfield goal, as junior keeper Rachel Brightman (Rochester, N.Y.) made nine saves for the Bulldogs.

The Stags will aim shake off their opening weekend in California that sent them back East with losses to UC Irvine and Long Beach State. This year's bunch returns six of its top seven point producers from 2015, led by senior Brenna Brown and sophomore Jenny Jacobs, who had 14 and 13 points, respectively. Senior Cassidy Boegel added eight points along with sophomore Elena Santos. Borea and sophomore Sara Plowman each recorded six points.

Borea will anchor a Stags defense that features junior Jenna Pike in goal for a second straight season. The Smithfield, R.I., product boasted a 0.88 goals-against average over the final five games of last year.  

Friday's match with Yale gets under way at 4:00 p.m. and it can be seen live on IvyLeagueDigitalNetwork.com. Both Bryant games in the Yale Classic can be followed along via livestats on YaleBulldgos.com.