The Bulldogs head to Colgate for their 2012 opener
Season Preview (VIDEO)
SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The Bryant University field
hockey team will head to Hamilton, N.Y. to open up its regular
season against Colgate University on Saturday, Aug. 25 (12
p.m.).
The Bulldogs head to Raider Nation for their season opener in
hopes of returning to the postseason in 2012. Tabbed to finish
seventh in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the
program enters its third year of Division I postseason eligibility
this fall. Led by fourth-year head coach Shaunessy Saucier, field
hockey was the first program in Bryant history to qualify for a
Division I postseason tournament in 2010. After going 8-10 last
season, the Black and Gold are primed to return to the playoffs
this year led by 2011 NEC Rookie of the Year Rosie Bird
(Hamilton, New Zealand).
Last season the Raiders finished with an overall record of,
6-11, going, 1-4, in the Patriot League. Colgate returns ten
starters in 2012, including its top three leading scorers from a
season ago. Senior Lauren Dittman and juniors Halle Biggar and
Olivia Nabhan accounted for over 70 percent of the Raiders scoring
output last season and will be relied upon to shoulder the
offensive load this year as well. They also return their second
team All-Patriot League goalkeeper Amanda DiDomizio who looks build
on strong freshman campaign. Colgate will begin 2012 with a three
game homestand hosting Ohio on Friday night before welcoming Bryant
Saturday afternoon.
The two teams met last September in Smithfield when Bryant
blanked the Raiders, 4-0. Bird led the Bulldogs with two goals
while senior captain Brittany
Vasconcelos (Tiverton,
R.I.) added a score of her own. Senior Chiedza
Mawema (Harare, Zimbabwe) assisted on three of the
goals and junior Megan Hancock
(Skowhegan, Maine) posted her lone shutout of the season
stopping four Raider shots.
Getting off to strong start on Saturday is vital for the
Bulldogs as they look to return to postseason.
For the link to live stats of Friday's game and for all the
latest information on Bryant University field hockey, visit
BryantBulldogs.com.
