Early goal plagues Bulldogs in 1-0 loss to UMass Lowell Thursday night

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team conceded a fifth-minute goal, but had plenty of chances over the course of the game, though they could not convert and fell to UMass Lowell, 1-0, Thursday night in Massachusetts.

Katelyn Vieira sent a cross into the box in the fifth minute that was struck by Carolyn Ragon. The shot deflected a Bulldog (3-2) defender and skirted past senior keeper Kaylan Conrad (Avon, Conn.).

Though the early game winner was the first shot attempt for the River Hawks (1-1-2), it was all they needed. Both sides attempted 12 shots in the game, as Conrad made three saves from that point on.

The Bulldogs had plenty of opportunities over the final 85 minutes, sending a total of six shots on target. In the 50th minute with intensity and pressure building up, juniors Haley Reddish (Natick, Mass.) and Hannah Crofut (East Amherst, N.Y.) each fired a pair of shots from just outside the box that were blocked by UMass Lowell defenders. A minute later, freshman Marissa Grasso (Shelton, Conn.) fired off a right-footed shot that was saved by Lauren Huff.

With just over 10 minutes to play, freshman Remi Manna (Pleasantville, N.Y.) ripped off a shot that was also saved Huff, then she took a cross into the box and sent a header just wide of the near left post. Both Reddish and Crofut gave the Bulldogs one final chance in the 85th and 86th minute, respectively, sending shots on frame. Reddish's attempt was also snared by Huff and Crofut's header sailed just high.

Crofut, Manna and Reddish charged the Bulldogs offensively with three shots apiece and a combined four on target. Huff ignited the River Hawks in their home opener with six critical saves, as 10 of her teammates fired off shots.

The Bulldogs will return home for a pair of weekday home games, beginning with former Northeast Conference foe Quinnipiac on Wednesday, September 7 at 3:00 p.m.