SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Fairfield University field hockey opened the season with a 2-1 setback against Bryant University on Friday afternoon. The Stags came up short despite dominating most of the game and posting substantial advantages in both shots and penalty corners but could only manage to put one shot past the Bulldogs defense.

While both teams managed just two shots in the opening 15 minutes, the Stags controlled the flow of the game and spent most of those minutes in the Bryant offensive third. But both teams managed just one shot on goal and both were turned away by the respective goalkeeper.

The second quarter was much in the same way as Fairfield held a 6-1 edge in shots but Bryant's one attempt resulted in the game's first goal when the home team was able to convert a penalty corner into a 1-0 advantage. Eva Boogers started the set piece and sent a ball to freshman Filou Verhoeven who completed the play by send a ball past the diving goalkeeper.

Just like in the second stanza, Bryant was credited with just one shot in those 15 minutes but it was the only one it needed to double its advantage to 2-0. The Bulldogs countered with a play down field that gave them a brief advantage that ended with Callie Caito finding the back of the cage.

The two-goal advantage last less than a minute as Fairfield's pressure finally paid off with a goal in the 44^th minute that cut the deficit to 2-1. Rylee LaLoup worked her way into the center of the circle and volleyed a shot that was set up by Agustina Casteluchi's entry pass from the right side.

Fairfield did all that it could to get that equalizer by keeping the ball deep in Bryant's territory for the entire fourth quarter. The Stags earned seven penalty corners and outshot the opposition by a 4-1 count but the Bulldog would not relinquish the lead.

Emily Streib made her Fairfield debut in the Stags goal and finished the match with one save which came off a penalty corner early in the contest. Bryant used a pair of goalkeepers during the game with Maud van Lierop making one stop in the first half and Sara DeSousa turning away five shots.

The Stags will return to the pitch next weekend when they open the home portion of their schedule by hosting the College of the Holy Cross on Friday, September 6 before welcoming La Salle University on Sunday, September 8. Both games will be played at University Field on the Fairfield University campus.