Smithfield, R.I. – After getting off two a blistering 7-1 start, the Bryant University field hockey team has opened the month of October on a three-game skid as they look to open their first season in the MAAC on a winning note Friday at Siena (3 p.m.).

To say the last three defeats for the Bulldogs have been tough losses would be an understatement as each of the losses have come in either overtime or with less than three minutes to play in regulation. Most recently, the Black and Gold took a preseason top-20 Maine team to the brink, holding a 2-1 edge without any time remaining on the clock. However, last-chance effort off a penalty corner with time expired forced the contest an extra period where the Black Bears put home the game-winner nearly six minutes in.

In their first game in five days, the Bulldogs will visit a winless Siena team looking to hit its stride just in time for conference play. The Saints, who have struggled to find the back of the net thus far this season, enter Friday's contest with a 0-10 overall record coming off a 2-0 loss at Saint Joe's on Sunday. Megan Meyers and Gabrielle Sullivan have combined for nine of Siena's 21 points, while Beth Meyers and Mary Drabich have split time in net thus far this season. Last October, the Bulldogs earned a 5-1 win over the Saints in Smithfield thanks to a five-point day from senior Kayleigh Ballantyne (Gorham, Maine).

Selected to finish sixth by MAAC coaches nearly two months ago, Bryant has already exceeded many expectations, however the true test for the Black and Gold begins Friday in Loudonville, N.Y.

For links to Live Stats Friday's action and all the latest news on the Bryant University field hockey team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.