FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart women's lacrosse team closed the first weekend of Northeast Conference play with an 11-5 loss to the Bryant Bulldogs at Campus Field.

Emily Kick led the Pioneers with two goals on the day. Caitlin Delaney and Liana Doyla each had two points on a goal and an assist. Delaney also added two caused turnovers and two draw controls. Cassie Cesario had a team-high four groundballs and three draw controls. Paige Hammick made nine saves in goal. 

Bryant (6-4, 2-0 NEC) jumped out to a fast 5-0 lead in the first 7:09, getting three goals from Caitlin Breglia. Sacred Heart's lone goal of the first half came at the 22:21 mark, as Liana Doyle scored off a quick crease dodge to make the score 5-1. The Bulldogs tacked on three more goals before halftime to take an 8-1 lead.

Sacred Heart (3-8, 1-1 NEC) opened the second half with a Delaney free position tally just over one minute into the period. Bryant then went on another three-goal run, taking an 11-2 lead with 12:42 remaining. The Pioneers did have a run in them late. Paige DeVine scored her first goal of the season with 10:13 to go, with an assist from Alyssa Pearce. Kick then scored back-to-back goals to make the score 11-5 at the 7:51 mark. The Bulldogs dominated possession from that point forward, holding on for the six-goal win.

Bryant outshot Sacred Heart 31-16 for the game and held a 22-19 edge in groundballs. Breglia led all scorers with five goals. Jess DeMeo had a hat trick as Catlin Brown had three points on a goal and two assists. Samantha Santeramo made six saves in goal.

The Pioneers open a three-game road swing on Friday, April 14 with a 12 p.m. game at LIU Brooklyn.