Bears Come Back From 2-0 Deficit to Defeat Bryant, 3-2

Sunday, September 13

2 pm

Brown University

(2-2)

Bryant

(1-4)

Bryant

Brown

Bears Come Back From 2-0 Deficit to Defeat Bryant, 3-2

9/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

Box Score

PROVIDENCE, RI - Trailing, 2-0, after the first 12 minutes of play, and 2-1 at halftime, the Brown field hockey team (2-2) scored twice in the final 10 minutes of play to earn a 3-2 victory over Bryant (1-4) on Sunday afternoon at Warner Roof. Today's win, combined with yesterday's triumph over Monmouth, marks the first time since October of 2006 that the Bears have earned back-to-back wins.

Bryant grabbed a 1-0 lead just 45 seconds into the game when Alexandra Czerniak picked the ball up off a rebound of a blocked shot and beat sophomore Caroline Washburn (Pittsburgh, PA) to the right corner.

Following a missed chance on a penalty corner for the Bears, the Bulldogs went up, 2-0, after Elise Boissoneau tipped a pass from Tia Pydynkowski to the right corner of the net at 11:39.

For much of the remainder of the half, the Bears had the better of the play, and closed the gap to within one goal when sophomore Kit Masini (Ann Arbor, MI) connected for her fourth goal in four games. Sophomore Leslie Springmeyer (New Vernon, NJ) hit Masini with a direct pass and with only Bryant goalie Kundayi Mawema to beat, pulled to the left and back-handed the ball behind Mawema, hitting the far side of the net at 23:45.

Brown finished the first half with an 11-7 advantage in shots, while the corners were even at four each. The Bulldogs appeared to have the better of the play in the second half, outshooting Brown, 12-8 and earning seven corners to Brown's five, but it would be the Bears who would find the back of the net, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes of play for the win.

After three Brown penalty corners failed to produce a goal between 53:59 and 59:36, Brown was awarded a penalty stroke following the third corner. Junior Katie Hyland (Riegelsville, PA) stepped up to the ball and beat Mawema with a low shot to the goalie's right, tying the score at 2-2 at 60:13.

Just three minutes later, at 63:31, Springmeyer tallied the game-winner, finishing a pass from freshman Kelley Harrison (Houston, TX), who earned her first career point with the assist. Harrison dribbled the ball down the right side and fed Springmeyer, who came into the circle and fired a shot from the right that beat Mawema to the left corner.

Bryant had a few late chances to net the equalizer, earning three penalty corners in the final six minutes of play, but Brown's defense was up to the task, as Washburn saved two shots and the defense blocked another two.

For the game, both teams took 19 shots, while Bryant held an 11-9 advantage in penalty corners. Washburn finished with eight saves, including six in a scoreless second half, while Mawema made nine for Bryant.

The Bears return to action next Saturday, September 19, when they travel to Columbia for their 2009 Ivy opener. Game time is scheduled for 2:00.