SMITHFIELD, R.I. –Highlighted by four different players finding the back of the cage, the Bryant University field hockey team took down the University of the Pacific, 4-1, on a warm Monday afternoon at the Bulldog Track and Turf Complex. 

The Bulldogs (2-3) won for the second straight game, completing a successful three-game homestand in which they emerged victorious twice.  Despite holding a 27-14 advantage in total shots, the Tigers (1-4) were kept off the board until late in regulation, but by that point the game was well out of reach.

Earning her second straight start in net, Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) was tremendous between the pipes, recording a season-high 14 saves against the Tigers.  The sophomore was especially excellent on penalty corners.  Pacific accumulated 10 such opportunities in the game, but were thwarted on all but one thanks to a fine defensive effort from Hancock and the entire back line.

Abigail Armstrong (Mohopac, N.Y.) opened up the scoring at 6:05, when she found the ball inside the circle and attempted a reverse backhander on Pacific goaltender Ashlee Schlesier (six saves).  The rookie forward looped an arcing shot over the defense, and the ball fell untouched into the cage.  Armstrong then earned the assist on a Brittany Vasconcelos (Tiverton, R.I.) marker at 27:33.  The junior forward carried the ball into the circle and ripped a scorcher that beat Schlesier low near the left post, putting Bryant up 2-0.

After halftime, the Black and Gold would not wait long to add to their total, scoring two quick goals in the opening minutes of the stanza to jump out to a 4-0 lead.  First, it was Katherine Andrusin (North Andover, Mass.) tipping home a shot on a penalty corner for her second goal of the year.  Emily Charpentier (Walpole, Mass.) was awarded a secondary assist after setting up the initial shot taken by Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand).  But Andrusin rushed in low after inserting the ball at the start of the play, and was able to deflect the low shot by Bird for the third goal of the game.

Minutes later, Bird earned her team-high fifth tally of the season, one-timing a cross from sophomore Mallory Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine).  The score would remain unchanged until Robin Nelson poked home a rebound on a penalty corner at 66:15, spoiling Megan Hancock's bid at a shutout.

The Bulldogs will hit the road for a pair of games at Ivy League opponents over the weekend.  First up, Bryant will travel to Hanover, N.H., taking on Dartmouth on Sunday, Sept. 18, and will return to the Ocean State for a Tuesday afternoon tilt against Brown on Sept. 20.  Game time for the Dartmouth game is set for 3 p.m.

For continuing coverage of Bryant field hockey, check back at www.bryantbulldogs.com, and follow the Bulldogs on Twitter @BryantAthletics.