D'Amico's career day leads Bulldogs past Sacred Heart

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Cayla D'Amico (Grafton, Mass.) recorded a career-high three points and the Bryant University women's soccer team won their second straight NEC contest with a 2-1 victory over Sacred Heart Friday afternoon at the Bulldog Soccer Field.  

Game Information

Bryant 2, Sacred Heart 1

Records: Bryant 9-2-2 (3-1-0 NEC), Sacred Heart 5-10-0 (2-3-0 NEC)

Location: Bulldog Soccer Field

Coach Bigg's Comments

"I thought we competed very well in a hard-fought conference game. We again created quality scoring chances and some excellent running into their box that resulted in our two goals. We'll look to use the strong team performance as a platform to build from as we turn our attention to Sunday's game."

Key Moment

• Senior Rachel Brightman (Rochester, N.Y.) made two big diving saves in the first half, the latter of which was with less than 20 seconds on the first-half clock and kept Bryant up 1-0. Kim McNally headed a free kick towards the bottom corner, but Brightman was able to dive to her left and deny the equalizer.

Scoring Summary

• 33^rd minute – Bryant 1, Sacred Heart 0 – D'Amico recorded her first point of the night on a beautiful far post cross to Katie Cronin (Feeding Hills, Mass.), who beat the keeper with a low tap to get Bryant on the board.
• 69^th minute – Bryant 2, Sacred Heart 0 – After Arin Smalls' (Marlborough, Mass.) header beat the keeper, it hit the post, but D'Amico was there to tap it home on an open net to double Bryant's lead.
• 89^th minute – Bryant 2, Sacred Heart 1 – Melanie DaSilva was able to get the Pioneers offense on the board finishing a scramble in the box but putting the ball into the lower left corner of the net.

Stats/Notes

• Both Cronin and D'Amico scored their second goal of the season.
• It was D'Amico's first career game-winning goal.
• The Bulldogs have started 3-1 in NEC play for the third consecutive year.
• Brightman made three saves in the first 45 minutes, her highest total since September 17 against St. Bonaventure.

Up Next

The Bulldogs hit the road to Teaneck, N.J. to take on Fairleigh Dickinson Sunday afternoon at 12:00 p.m.