SMITHFIELD, R.I. –
Valentina Funes tied the single-game program record with four goals and
Claire Joss set the single-game record with four assists as the Bryant field hockey team defeated Sacred Heart, 4-0, on Sunday afternoon at Cowen Field.
With their first win over the Pioneers in a decade, the Bulldogs completed a weekend sweep and improve to 5-3 on the season. Bryant will have the next 11 days off before opening America East play at UMass Lowell on October 2.
Funes' four goals comes nearly 14 years to the day that Rosie Bird scored four times at Dartmouth on Sept. 19, 2012. All four goals from Funes came off penalty corners, with Joss setting the trap each time.
Emerson Johnson (3) and
Julie Diderich (1) picked up insertion assists.
Game Information
Bryant 4, Sacred Heart 0
Records: Bryant (5-3), Sacred Heart (1-6)
Location: Cowen Field (Smithfield, R.I.)
Key Moment
- Funes converted on Bryant's third penalty corner of the first quarter to give Bryant the 1-0 lead.
First Quarter
- Bryant withstood early pressure from the Pioneers, defending a pair of penalty corners.
- The Bulldogs shifted the field late in the quarter, earning three penalty corners.
- It took advantage on the third as Funes rocketed a shot off the back board for her first of the afternoon with just 21 seconds left.
Second Quarter
- The Black and Gold doubled their lead off another penalty corner just over five minutes into the quarter.
- The same trio of Johnson, Joss and Funes teamed up as Funes whistled one off the right post and into the back of the cage.
Third Quarter
- Funes completed her hat trick as she swept a perfectly placed shot inside the right post.
Fourth Quarter
- It was a nearly identical finish for Funes in the fourth quarter as she slotted her record-tying goal inside the right post.
Bryant Notes and Notables
- Bryant is now 6-11 all-time against Sacred Heart, snapping a six-game losing streak in the series. The victory is Bryant's first over Sacred Heart since October 16, 2016.
- Bryant has now surpassed its win total from the 2025 season.
- The Bulldogs are now 4-1 at Cowen Field this season.
- Funes' four goals tied Rosie Bird's single-game program record previously set on Sept. 19, 2012.
- Funes finished the weekend with five goals and now leads the Bulldogs with six on the year.
- Johnson collected three assists and has five on the season.
- Joss set a single-game program record with four assists.
- Diderich picked up her second assist of the season.
- Maud van Lierop made three saves to earn the shutout.
Up Next
Bryant will have next weekend off before opening America East play on October 2 when it visits UMass Lowell.
