BRYANT FALLS ON ROAD TO EXPLORERS, 4-2, FRIDAY AFTERNOON

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Freshman Michelle Fallon (Pompton Plains, N.J.) and junior Mallory Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) each tallied a goal Friday night on the road, but the Bryant University field hockey team couldn't overcome three La Salle second-half scores, falling to the Explorers, 4-2.

Junior Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) made 11 saves in the outing and faced 27 shots as the Explorers (4-7) nearly doubled up the Bulldogs (2-8) in total shots. Fallon paced the side with five shots on the afternoon, three of which went on goal, while sophomore forward Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) fired three of the team's 14 shots.

The Bulldogs jumped out to the early lead 24:37 into the contest when Fallon blasted a near-post shot off a dish from classmate Nicole Plante (Smithfield, R.I.). Just minutes later, however, La Salle's Olivia Leaman knotted the score off a deflection from a Janel Paukovits shot.

The 1-1 score would stick through the halftime break, but Neelam Kumar would break the game open in the 53rd minute with an unassisted goal to give the home side a 2-1 edge. Colleen Kempf needed just less than two minutes to increase the Explorers' lead once again after receiving a long pass from Heather Barretta on the doorstep, finding net for a 3-1 margin.

Hancock cut into that advantage for the Black and Gold at the 68:12 mark in unassisted fashion, but it wouldn't be enough as Becca Chylack tacked on an insurance tally at the final second for the 4-2 final.

La Salle would see a 16-10 advantage in penalty corners, including an 11-4 margin in the first half. Bulldog senior Rachel Blitz (Riverwoods, Ill.) recorded the only defensive save of the outing, while La Salle goalie Lisa Schaffer put up five saves in the winning effort.

The Bulldogs return to action Sunday on the road against Villanova (1 p.m.).