Bulldogs set to open 2017 home slate vs. UMass Lowell

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team opens up its 2017 home schedule with a non-conference battle against UMass Lowell at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon at the Bulldog Soccer Field.

The Particulars 

Opponent: UMass Lowell

First Touch: 3:00 p.m. EST

Watch Live: NEC Front Row

Live Stats: Presto Sports

Series History

• Wednesday's matchup will be the 16^th overall matchup between the two schools, with the series knotted at seven wins apiece with one tie. 
• In the Division I era, the teams have met twice, with UMass Lowell winning both matchups.

Bulldogs Notes and Notables

• The Bulldogs are looking for their first win against the River Hawks since 2007, a 1-0 victory in Lowell.
• Bryant is looking to win back to back games to open the season for just the second time in the Division I era (2016).
• The Bulldogs scored three goals in their season opener for the first time since 2008, their opening game at the Division I level. Before then, they opened each of their previous five seasons at the Division II level with a three-goal effort or more.
• Freshman Amanda Spitaleri (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) became the second freshman to score in her Bulldogs debut in as many seasons with her goal Friday night. Sophomore Remi Manna (Pleasantville, N.Y.) scored the game winner against Stony Brook in her debut last season. Manna recorded all five points against America East opponents last season.
• Thanks to the seven saves by goalies Rachel Brightman (Rochester, N.Y.) and Meghan Dalton (West Hartford, Conn.), the Bulldogs kept their third clean sheet in the last four seasons. They're looking to keep a clean sheet in back to back to open a season for just the second time in the Division I era and just the fourth time since 2000.

A bit about the River Hawks

• UMass Lowell is entering its first season of full Division I eligibility and opened the 2017 campaign with a scoreless draw against Army West Point on Sunday. 
• The River Hawks are led by returning goalie Julia Schneider, who recorded her eighth career shutout in the match Sunday. 
• UMass Lowell is led by forward Kately Vieira, who led the team with four goals and eight points last season. Also returning is midfielder Rachel Morrier, who was second on the team in points with seven. 
• All three players are captains for first-year head coach Francesco D'Agostino.