Box Score SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The University of Maine tied the game with no time left on the clock and then scored just under six minutes into overtime to hand the Bryant University field hockey team a 3-2 loss on Sunday afternoon at Maine Field Hockey Complex.
Facing a Black Bears (6-5) team that began the season ranked in the top 20 nationally, the Bulldogs (7-4) grabbed held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 but could not hold off the hosts in Orono.
Trailing by one, Maine was awarded a penalty corner as time expired in the second half. On the ensuing play, Cassidy Svetek was able to redirect a shot into the back of the cage to tie the game at 2-2. It then took the Black Bears only six minutes of extra time to find the winner as Danielle Aviani knocked home a rebound to end the game.
Despite being outshot 29-10 in the contest, the Black and Gold stayed with the Black Bears for the entirety of the game. After a scoreless first half, senior Kayleigh Ballantyne (Gorham, Maine) gave Bryant a lead just over four minutes into the second half. Junior Abigail Armstrong (Mahopac, N.Y.) fed Ballantyne on the left side the cage and veteran leader did the rest to make it 1-0.
The Black Bears would knot the score at 1-1 in the 59th minute on Sydney Veljacic's second goal of the year. She received a pass at the top of the circle and fired it home.
Bryant, however, responded immediately, retaking the lead less than two minutes later. After earning a penalty corner, senior MaKayla Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) potted her third goal of the year off assists from Mikayla Fitzmaurice (Skowhegan, Maine) and Ballantyne.
Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) was a stalwart in net for the Bulldogs, making 11 saves in the contest. It marked the third time this year that senior keeper has made 10 or more saves in a game.
With non-conference play over, the Bulldogs will open their first season as a member of the MAAC on Friday, Oct. 11 when they visit Siena. The game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.
