Bryant Field Hockey Faces Road Tests against Maine, Brown This Weekend
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University field hockey team embarks on a challenging weekend road trip, facing america East opponent Maine on Friday before battling Ivy League contender Brown on Sunday.Coming off a 1-0 victory over Merrimack that ended a nine-game losing streak, the Bulldogs aim to build momentum against two programs with winning records.
Bryant (3-9 0-2 America East) seeks to reverse recent fortunes and gain ground in the conference standings. The team’s schedule includes a historically dominant Brown program (7-3 3-1 Ivy League) and a Maine squad (3-9 0-2 America East) facing similar early-season challenges. Both contests present opportunities for Bryant to demonstrate its growth and competitiveness.
The Bulldogs recently secured a dramatic 2-1 overtime win against UMass Lowell, fueled by goals from Natalie Griffin and Linde van Leeuwen, with Filou Verhoeven netting the game-winner in the second overtime period. Callie Caito currently paces the Bryant offense with six goals and 13 points, having also scored in the America East opener against UMass Lowell.Megan Smith contributed her third goal of the season in the victory over Merrimack,while Gabrielle Dwyer has recorded three assists and three defensive saves.
Maine is lead in scoring by Olivia Geniti and Eloise Penty, both with 12 points (Geniti with five goals and two assists, Penty with four goals and four assists). Zoe Furber is also tied for the team lead with five goals. Goalkeeper Rozarie Mrazova has started eight games, boasting a .766 save percentage and a 2.19 goals-against average.
Brown has been on a strong run of form,recently securing victories against Maine (1-0),Cornell (3-1),and UMass Lowell (4-0). Lexi Pellegrino leads the Bears’ attack with 19 points, comprised of eight goals and three assists.Bryant trails in the all-time series against Brown 10-4, with the Bears having won the last five meetings, including a 5-0 decision last season.Bryant’s last win against Brown came in 2017, a 4-3 victory in Providence.
