SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Freshman forward Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) scored her first-career goal less than two minutes into the 2011 season opener, but the Bryant University field hockey team could not hold off the University of Delaware as the Bulldogs fell, 7-1, on the road Friday afternoon.

Bryant (0-1) finished the outing with nine shots compared to the Blue Hens' 22, and Bird led the Bulldogs with three strikes on net. Bryant lost the penalty corner battle, 11-4, and surrendered 14 shots on goal to Delaware (1-0).

The New Zealand native opened the scoring with the team's first goal of 2011 season 1:58 into the match. On the defensive end, sophomore Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) got the nod in net for the Black and Gold and recorded two saves in the first 28 minutes before giving way to senior Jennifer Gullotti (Waltham, Mass.), who managed to record four stops over the remainder of the game.

Despite falling in an early 1-0 hole, the Blue Hens rallied back with seven unanswered goals coming off the sticks of a series of players. Tory Sharpless leveled the score six minutes into the contest before the Blue Hens added four more over the next 9:01. Sharpless added her second tally of the game at the 56:02 mark before Amanda McCardell rounded out the game's scoring on an assist by Nicole Onorato.

The Bulldogs will open the 2011 home slate against UC Davis Friday, Sept. 2 at the Bryant Turf Complex. Fans can follow live stats at www.bryantbulldogs.com or catch every minute live at www.bryantbulldogs.tv.