SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Riding a six game win streak and matching the best start in program history, the Bryant University field hockey team heads to Hanover, N.H., on Wednesday at 3 p.m. to take on Dartmouth.
The Black and Gold (6-1) recently returned from two games in St. Louis where they earned victories over St. Louis University and Missouri St. A pair of scores in the first twelve minutes from senior defender MaKayla Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) and junior midfielder Abigail Armstrong (Mahopac, N.Y.) gave the Bulldogs the early lead over St. Louis, while a crucial the second half score from senior Olivia Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.) solidified the 3-2 W for the Bulldogs.
On Saturday, it only took one for Bryant to squeak out the 1-0 victory against Missouri St. when Jankins found junior Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) off a penalty corner for the game winner in the 66th minute. The Bulldogs smothering defense allowed just three shots on goal with senior goalkeeper Megan Hancock (Skowhegan, Maine) earning her first shutout of the season.
The Bulldogs had four different players score over the weekend, but Bird continued to shine registering one goal and a pair of assists in the wins. The fourth-leading scorer in the country (based on points per game) currently leads her team or is tied for the team lead in goals (8), assists (4), and points (20).
The Big Green enter Wednesday's action with a 1-3 overall mark coming off a tough loss to no. 6 Princeton on Saturday. On offense, junior forward Ali Savage leads the way with four goals and two assists. Junior Ellen Meyer has earned all four starts for Dartmouth in goal, registering 26 saves in 280 minutes.
Last season in Hanover, N.H., Bird put on an absolute show, notching four goals in a career performance. However Dartmouth escaped with the narrow, 6-5, victory, despite the New Zealander's offensive heroics.
Currently sitting at 28th overall in the most recent NCAA PRI poll, the Bulldogs would set the mark for the best record through eight games in program history with a win on Wednesday (tying the program's longest win streak in the process).
For links to streaming video and live stats of Wednesday's contest and all the latest news on the Bryant University field hockey team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.
