Bulldogs seek first NEC Tournament trophy in Teaneck this weekend

GAME NOTES

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – For just the second time in the program's Division I history, the Bryant University women's soccer team is headed to the NEC Women's Soccer Tournament, which starts Friday in Teaneck, N.J.

The Bulldogs will face Fairleigh Dickinson at 11 a.m. on Friday afternoon, with Saint Francis U and Central Connecticut slated to start at 2 p.m. The winners of each game will play Sunday at noon to determine who will take home the championship.

With a class of nine seniors, Bryant enters the weekend well-equipped on the experience front, with this year's graduating class earning one last shot at a title.

"We have a huge opportunity here and we are capable of doing it," senior goalkeeper Rachel Brightman (Rochester, N.Y.) said. "It's just about knowing that, no matter how we have performed against FDU in the past, it's a different game now."

Brightman finished the year as one of the league's best goalkeepers, recording a 0.35 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage and played a part in the seven Bulldog shutouts this season.

Head Coach Andy Biggs' club did not fare how they wanted in the regular-season meeting between the two foes, with the Knights scoring two second-half goals in a 2-0 win over Bryant on October 15. But when the teams meet on Friday, 19 days will have passed and things have changed since then.

"Everyone has been going really hard at practice," sophomore forward Remi Manna (Pleasantville, N.Y.) said. "The energy at practice is so high this week because everyone is so focused. It's a noticeable change."

Manna finished the regular season tied atop the Bulldog leaderboard with 10 points, recording four goals and two assists on the season. Senior Haley Reddish (Natick, Mass.) finished the year with five goals.

The defense was the Bulldogs' forte this season, finishing the regular season on top of the NEC in GAA (0.73) and second in save percentage (.806), so it is no surprise that the back line will be a big focus heading into the weekend.

"We were pressing very hard and it worked well, so that is something we can do this time around," Brightman said. "Knowing their formation a little better and having played them already is going to help us come Friday."

On the offensive end, the Bulldogs were able to control a lot of the possession but could not turn that into goals in the first matchup. They are not lacking confidence that they will be able to do the same in the semifinal matchup, but this time finish those chances off.

"If we stay sound defensively and we finish our chances, then I think we will be able to have an edge," Manna said. "We were winning the 50/50's and a lot of possession. We were creating a lot of chances in front of goal. We just need to finish them."

Entering the most stressful time of the year, the Bulldogs know their family will play a big part in having success.

"The fact that we have 29 girls behind us is incredible," Brightman said. "I think that this [support system] has a direct impact on people's performance."

When Friday comes, this family will have a chance to do something no other women's soccer family has: take home an NEC championship.