September 26, 2007

NO. 8 BRYANT DEFEATS ASSUMPTION 3-1 IN FIELD HOCKEY WEDNESDAY

Sophomore Kundayi Mawema (above) made eight saves in goal Wednesday night, leading the Bulldogs to a 3-1 win over Assumption.  www.dspics.com

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -  Sophomore goalkeeper Kundayi Mawema (Hare, Zimbabwe) made eight saves including one coming on a penalty shot in the final minute of the first half to help lead the eighth-ranked Bryant University field hockey team to a 3-1 win over visiting Assumption College Wednesday night in Northeast-10 Conference action at the Turf Field Complex. 

The Bulldogs (8-3, 8-1 NE-10) led 2-0 at the half and never trailed, bouncing back in fine fashion after last Saturday's loss at Bentley that snapped the team's six-game win streak. 

Bryant opened the scoring six minutes in following a penalty corner.  The team's initial shot was blocked by Assumption goalie Kaitlin Burke (Falmouth, Mass.), but the play carried Burke out of position in front of the net.  Bryant freshman Julie Kuchyt (Hatfield, Mass.) picked up the loose ball and slipped over to Courtney O'Brien (Tewskbury, Mass.) who scored easily into the open net.

Caitlyn Johnson (Walpole, Mass.) would make it 2-0 ten minutes later, scoring after making two good moves against the Greyhound defense 10 yards out. 

Assumption (4-6, 2-6 NE-10) had a golden opportunity to cut the lead in half just before the half, but Michelle Pasquale's (Shrewsbury, Mass.) penalty shot was saved by a diving Mawema to her left to send the Bulldogs into the break holding a 2-0 lead.

The Bulldogs would stretch the lead to 3-0 early in the second half.  Coming out of the break, the Bulldogs continued to pressure the Assumption defense, finally breaking through when the Greyhounds failed to clear and Caroline Carr (Wrentham, Mass.) hit Tia Pydnkowski (Hampton Falls, NH) who beat Burke with a hard shot to her left. 

Mawema's shutout bid was spoiled with under five minutes left when Maura Strickland (Mansfield, Mass.) sent in a hard shot from inside the circle that got through untouched and past the screened Bulldog goalie to make it 3-1 with 4:41 left to play.

The Bulldogs will host C.W. Post in a non-conference game this Saturday at 5 p.m.

@ Smithfield, R.I.
Bryant 3, Assumption 1
Goals: B - O'Brien, Johnson, Pydynkowski.  Assumption - Strickland.
Shots:  B - 12.  A - 11.  Saves: Bryant - Mawema, 8.  Assumption - Burke 7
Records:  Bryant 8-3, 8-1 NE-10.  Assumption 4-6, 2-6 NE-10
Halftime -  Bryant 2-0

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www.bryantbulldogs.com