New faces to lead Bulldogs' midfield in 2018

This is the second of a three-part series previewing the Bryant Women's Soccer program entering the 2018 season. The defenders were spotlighted yesterday, with the forwards preview coming Friday.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Possibly the most unit that will see the most turnover headed into the 2018 season, the Bryant University women's soccer team's midfielders will see an overhaul heading into the new year. Two starters graduated, a pair of midfielders are back from injury and two freshmen have come in to make names for themselves during the preseason.

All in all, head coach Andy Biggs will have some decisions to make on who starts in the middle of the park when the Bulldogs host Quinnipiac on Monday afternoon.

"We've been very happy with the progress our midfielders have made over the course of the preseason," Biggs said. "They are a hardworking group of players."

Bryant's midfield did a great job facilitating between the defense and forwards last season, providing consistent service to the forwards for the Black and Gold. The unit as a whole assisted on 76 percent of its goals last year and now they are back to improve on that mark.

"Everyone has done a great job of getting on the same page this year," senior captain Alex Spangler (Acton, Mass.) said. "We're a very technical team right now and both of our coaches have done a great job in working that into our practices. It definitely plays out on the field."

Spangler is one of the midfielders back from injury this season, along with fellow classmate Alex Ralph (Peterborough, Ontario), and both are expected to make an impact in the middle for the Bulldogs. Also back for the Bulldogs is senior Rachel Benz (Stamford, Conn.), juniors Marissa Grasso (Shelton, Conn.) and Remi Manna (Pleasantville, N.Y.) and sophomore Kylie Ratelle (Chicopee, Mass.).

Freshmen Corinne Rey (Norton, Mass.) and Eleni Spiratos (Fresh Meadows, N.Y.) has come in to make an impact for the Bulldogs during the preseason and will be a big part of the squad when Bryant hits the pitch on Monday.

"We have unfinished business that we want to take care of this season," Spangler said. "We want to win our first NEC ring and hopefully this is our year to do it."

For an inside look at the Bulldogs' chase for their first ring, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.