Bulldogs blanketed, 2-0, in battle with Maine Friday afternoon

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team made excellent runs and had plenty of opportunities, but could not find the back of the net, while Maine was able to do so twice in Friday's 2-0 loss.

The Black Bears (4-2) ended a two-game slide thanks to a sixth-minute goal. Anetra Byfield sprinted down the right wing while receiving a high cross from the midfield and foot of Shannon Armitage. Byfield nestled it into the box and caught senior keeper Kaylan Conrad (Avon, Conn.) slightly too far up, as the former softly chipped a shot towards the far post and into the cage.

The early score forced the Bulldogs (3-4) to press forward and attack at a high rate. Despite seven first-half corners from Maine, the hosts earned a pair of their own and sent multiple crosses into the box. Sophomore mid Alex Spangler (Acton, Mass.) launched one from the far right wing in the 24th minute to senior Kianna Woods (Stafford Springs, Conn.), but she was unable to get a great touch, as the shot went wide.

Freshman forward Remi Manna (Pleasantville, N.Y.) broke free just a few minutes later and sent a shot on goal, but it was barely deflected by a Black Bear defender to earn Bryant its first corner at the 28:50 mark. The Bulldogs won their second corner two minutes later, but both set pieces were dealt with by the defense and goalie Annalena Kriebisch.

Manna worked her way into the box in the 36th minute and sent a left-footed strike on target, but Kriebsich was up for the challenge and secured her first save of the game, as the Black Bears took a 1-0 lead into the break.

The second frame began at an upbeat pace, as four shots were taken and a corner was won over the first six minute. Manna headed the final shot and the third for the Bulldogs during the flurry after a great corner from sophomore Alison Guilmette (Coventry, R.I.), but the attempt soared over the crossbar.

Manna nearly gave the Bulldogs their first goal since August 28 in the 66th minute on another header from inside the box. But she was unable to get much force behind the shot, as Kriebisch grabbed the ball in the air and denied the equalizer.

The pace of both teams remained high for much of the second half, but it was the Black Bears that would be rewarded for the efforts in the 69th minute. Kaitlyn Ball worked the left flank and muscled her way into the box, took on a pair of defenders and broke free before burying a low shot past Conrad into the near post from 10 yards out.

The Black and Gold made a plethora of substitutions over the final 20 minutes, but fatigue began to set in and it could not create the chance it needed to prevent a third-straight loss.

Manna led everyone on the pitch with four shots, two being on frame. Junior Haley Reddish (Natick, Mass.) and Guilmette attempted two shots each, as the Bulldogs outshot Maine, 12-8. Conrad made three stops in the loss, and the two goals she allowed were a season high.

Byfield and Ball each attempted a pair of shots with one being goals to pace the visitors. Kriebisch made four saves in the win.

The Bulldogs return to the road when they take on Binghamton on Thursday, September 15 at 6:00 p.m.