SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's lacrosse team took a 5-3 lead midway through the first half but couldn't hold on against a tough Villanova side on the road, dropping its season opener, 16-8, despite a trio of goals from rookie Haley Bloom (Hauppauge, N.Y.) in her collegiate debut.

The Bulldogs (0-1) negated a pair of Villanova (1-0) leads early on before taking their first advantage of the game with Bloom's first goal of the afternoon with 21:12 to play before the break, 3-2. The Wildcats would erase Bryant's edge less than a minute later, but Bloom would score twice less than 60 seconds apart for the two-goal edge.

But four-straight Villanova goals amidst a 6-1 run for the home side to close out the first half put some breathing room between the sides, as the Wildcats took a 9-6 advantage into the halftime intermission.

Out of the break, Villanova's Ali Brandenburg upped the home team's total to 10 goals 59 seconds into the second session. Freshman Katherine Keckeisen (Danbury, Conn.) and junior captain and 2010 leading scorer Lauren Sheridan (Bethpage, N.Y.) cut the host's lead to two, 10-8, with goals just 34 seconds apart – both assisted by Mary Green (Merrick, N.Y.) – but the Wildcats would tack on six more while holding the Bulldogs scoreless in the final 22:21 for the eventual 16-8 final.

Sheridan matched linemate Bloom in the points column with a pair of goals and a helper in the 2011 opener, and frosh Kimberley Sniffen (Redding, Conn.), who also earned the start at attack in her collegiate debut, netted a pair of tallies, including one of two free position goals for the Black and Gold. Sophomore Nicole Rettinger (Dix Hills, N.Y.) tied a game high with three ground balls while also recording the team's only two caused turnovers of the day, also a contest best.

Justine Donodeo recorded an impressive seven points for the Wildcats, tallying four goals and a trio of assists in the winning effort. She was one of seven Villanova goal scorers and one of five on the home side to post a multi-score outing.

Junior captain Lauren Filippone (West Babylon, N.Y.) took the loss, allowing six goals in a starting role before giving way to rookie Brianna Watt (Babylon, N.Y.), who made eight saves in over 42 minutes of action. Villanova goalie Maggie Langan made seven saves in a complete-game performance.

On the day, the Bulldogs were outshot, 26-19, while being edged in ground balls, 16-13. The Wildcats dominated on the draw, winning 20 to Bryant's six, also going 4-for-5 on free position shots in the affair. Bryant finished the day 9-of-11 on clearing attempts, including a perfect 7-for-7 mark in the second frame, while Villanova completed all 13 of its clears on the afternoon. The Black and Gold put 15 of their 19 shots on goal.

Bryant returns to action Friday, Feb. 25, when the team travels to Navy for a 4:00 p.m. matchup.