Box Score
The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team fell 3-0 in a hard-fought match against Bryant University on Sunday, Oct. 16. The Knights drop to 4-9-1 (1-6 NEC) on the season, while the Bulldogs improve to 6-6-3 (2-3-1 NEC).
Bryant went out strong, creating pressure on Knight goalkeeper Stephanie Tanzi (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) from the start. In the third minute of play, Kaitlyn Fare challenged Tanzi to record her first save of the game with a shot from inside the penalty box.
The Knights responded with strong offensive play from senior Rashidah Sherman (Pelham Manor, NY/Pelham Memorial). In the 12th minute, Sherman collected the ball at midfield where she took on three Bryant defenders before facing goalkeeper, Lauren Viverito. Sherman took the ball to the end line where Viverito pressured her to pass the ball instead of taking a shot on goal. The Knights' scoring opportunity was broken up in front of the net when the pass was intercepted.
At the 17-minute mark the Bulldogs were awarded a free kick just two yards outside the penalty box. Sophomore Ari Goldberg placed the kick in front of the Knights' net where Mary Green headed the ball passed Tanzi. Green's first goal of the season gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.
The game went into halftime with Bryant leading 1-0. The Bulldogs outshot FDU 7-0 in the first 45 minutes of play and challenged Tanzi to make four saves.
Bryant created several scoring opportunities in the first five minutes of the second half. Two shots went wide and a third made Tanzi dive to her right to stop the shot. Tanzi's save left the ball loose in the six-yard box. Junior Francesca Yaccarine (Freehold, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) cleared the loose ball to eliminate the Bulldog attack.
Freshman Alexa Tirelli (Slate Hill, NY/Minisink Valley) gave the Knights a fighting chance in the 56th minute with a shot from 15 yards out that was saved by Viverito. Two minutes later Tirelli ripped another shot at Viverito from close range. Viverito made the save but could not hold onto the ball, giving Tirelli another shot. Tirelli's third shot went wide, giving Bryant control of the ball.
The Knights continued to fight back but were plagued by Bryant's deep bench. The Bulldogs made five substitutions midway through the second half, giving their offense a fresh lineup.
In the 76th minute Goldberg crossed the ball from the right side where Julia Vajda was waiting in front of the net. Vajda added Bryant's second goal of the match with a volley off the cross.
Three minutes later the Bulldogs struck again with a header from Green. Green was served the ball off a corner kick from Alyssa Kozlowski to give Bryant a 3-0 lead.
The Knights never faltered, and drove hard towards the goal in the remaining time. In the 85th minute senior Amy Flanagan (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) hit the crossbar on a free kick from beyond the penalty box. Just seconds later, Flanagan took another free kick from nearly the same position but floated the ball above the net.
FDU amassed four shots in the second half, including two on goal. Bryant ended the game with 16 shots. Tanzi earned the loss in the net but recorded four saves.
The team will travel to western Pennsylvania next weekend for road matches at Robert Morris on Friday, Oct. 21 and St. Francis PA on Sunday, Oct. 23. They conclude Northeast Conference play at home on Sunday, Oct. 30 against Monmouth. Oct. 30 will be senior day for the Knights' nine graduating student-athletes.
