Box Score SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Propelled by three second-half goals, the Bryant University field hockey team downed La Salle University, 4-1, on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Bryant Track and Turf Complex.
After exiting the locker room after half time tied at 1-1, the Bulldogs (5-5) did not wait long to break that deadlock, as sophomore forward Mallory Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) scored at 40:26 on a rebound in front of the net after the initial shot was taken by Olivia Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.).
Ten minutes later, senior forward Courtney Landi (Kingston, N.Y.) situated herself in front of the net and put a second-chance shot into the cage on her second strike of the season, pushing the home team's lead to 3-1 after junior Brittany Vasconcelos (Tiverton, R.I.) set up the play. The midfielder also earned another assist late in the second frame.
Despite being awarded five penalty corners from that point on, the Explorers (3-7) were turned aside on each scoring occasion in the second half, as the Bryant defense blocked a pair of shots in a five-minute span. Each team's defense totaled six blocked shots over the course of the contest.
Freshman forward Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) iced the game in the final minute of regulation, sending an uncontested long shot into the cage that was initially thought to be taken from outside of the scoring area, but wound up being ruled a good goal, pushing her team-leading total to 11 on the year. The rookie also scored on a penalty stroke, converting at 2:12 to give the Bulldogs an early 1-0 lead in the first half.
After a slow start, La Salle managed to push the momentum back in its favor with a marker in the 18th minute, as Becca Chylack ripped home her first goal of the season on a penalty corner set up by Neelam Kumar and inserted by Haley Jennings. After that, the Explorers continued to press, registering three more shots in the final 15 minutes of the first stanza, but were denied from pulling ahead.
Sophomore goalkeeper Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) earned her fifth start of the season, and improved to 5-1 on the year by virtue of a solid showing between the pipes. Lisa Shaffer posted an impressive 11 saves for the Explorers in the loss.
On the game, the Bulldogs held a 22-10 edge in shot attempts, while the Explorers were awarded one more penalty corner, boasting an 11-10 lead in that category.
The Bulldogs will look to push above the .500 mark on Tuesday, Oct. 4 when they travel to Worcester, Mass., taking on Holy Cross in their final non-league match of the season. Bryant will open up Northeast Conference play on Oct. 7, welcoming Monmouth University for an evening affair.
For continuing coverage of Bryant University field hockey, check back at www.bryantbulldogs.com, and be sure to follow the Bulldogs on Twitter @BryantAthletics.
