SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Taking on its second Ivy League opponent in as many games, the Bryant University field hockey team will travel to nearby rival Brown University for a Tuesday afternoon tilt. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
The Bulldogs (2-4) will be looking for their first win in the all-time series, as the Bears (1-4) have taken both games previously played between the squads. Last season, Courtney Landi (Kingston, N.Y.) scored nearly two minutes into the game, but Brown went on to score six of the next seven goals, pulling out a 6-2 victory at home. The two teams also played a much closer contest in 2009, but Brown used three straight tallies to erase a 2-0 Bryant lead, going on to win, 3-2, at home.
During their last outing, the Black and Gold saw a two-game winning streak come to an end at the hands of Dartmouth College, falling to the Big Green, 5-2, in Hanover, N.H. on Sunday, Sept. 18. Rookie forward Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) netted her team-leading sixth goal of the season, and sophomore Kayleigh Ballantyne (Gorham, Maine) found the back of the cage as well, but Bryant's two late tallies would not be enough to erase a five-goal deficit.
The Bears enter today's game in the midst of a three-game losing streak, dropping a one-goal game to the University of the Pacific back on Sept. 9 before falling to No. 15 Iowa, 7-0. Most recently, Brown squared off against Columbia in its Ivy League opener, and despite scoring the first goal of the game could not answer three straight strikes by the Lions, going on to suffer a 3-1 setback.
At the top of the pack for the Bears' scoring leaders are senior Leslie Springmeyer and freshman Meghan O'Donnell, who both carry four points on two goals. Senior Bridget McNamara, who scored the only goal against Columbia, ranks third with three points (1g, 1a), and junior Kelley Harrison and sophomore Torie Stearns have also found the back of the cage for Brown. Freshman Shannon McSweeney has handled the goaltending duties for the Bears, posting a 4.20 goals-against average to go with a .720 save percentage.
Following today's action, the Bulldogs return home on Saturday, Sept. 24, for a non-league matchup against Colgate University on the morning of Homecoming. Fans who make the trip for the 11 a.m. matchup are encouraged to stick around for the Homecoming football game between Bryant and Wagner College.
For continuing coverage of Bryant field hockey, check back at www.bryantbulldogs.com, and follow the Bulldogs on Twitter @BryantAthletics.
