Ratelle rifles Bulldogs past Robert Morris

MOON TOWNSHIP, PA. – Freshman Kylie Ratelle (Chicopee, Mass.) scored her first career goal in the 108^th minute and the Bryant University women's soccer team claimed a 2-1 victory over Robert Morris in their Northeast Conference opener on Friday afternoon at the North Athletic Complex.

Game Information

Bryant 2, Robert Morris 1 (2OT)

Records: Bryant 7-1-2 (1-0-0 NEC), Robert Morris 2-8-0 (0-1-0 NEC)

Location: Moon Township, Pa.

Coach Bigg's Comments

"I think our team showed a lot of character in what was a very challenging first conference game. After conceding the tying goal from a free kick, we kept our heads for the rest of the half and through overtime. The winning goal resulted from several players showing a lot of calm and composure on the ball despite the time running down, and Kylie's shot from outside the box was very well taken."

Key Moment

• In the 108^th minute, Ratelle was able to claim the ball outside the box and she hit a dipping shot towards the top left corner. Robert Morris' goalkeeper was able to get to it, but didn't get all of it as it deflected off her and into the net to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 victory.

Scoring Summary 

• 2^nd minute – Bryant 1, Robert Morris 0 – Senior Haley Reddish (Natick, Mass.) fought her way into the box under Robert Morris pressure and drew a foul. She then finished what she started by hitting the spot kick low and to the keeper's left to give the Bulldogs an early lead.
• 59^th minute – Bryant 1, Robert Morris 1 – After a foul was called on the Bulldogs just outside of their own penalty area, Kristina Kelley took the free kick and roped it into the side netting just inside the left post.
• 108^th minute – Bryant 2, Robert Morris 1 – Freshman Becca Michaud (Westport, Mass.) was able to feed Ratelle outside of the box, and she took a chance by firing it towards goal and it dipped to where Sydney Brucker tried to deal with it but was not able to keep it out of the goal.

Stats/Notes 

• The Bulldogs are now 1-1-2 in overtime matches.
• Ratelle and Michaud recorded their first career points in the match. There are now 15 Bulldogs who have recorded a point this season.
• Reddish has matched her goal output from last season, recording her third of the year on the penalty kick.
• The Bulldogs have now won seven of their last eight NEC openers and improved to 7-2-1 all-time against the Colonials.
• Bryant finished with a record of 5-0-1 in the month of September.

Up Next

Bryant wraps up their trip to Western Pennsylvania with a match against Saint Francis U on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. The Red Flash are coming off a 2-0 victory over Sacred Heart in their conference opener on Friday.