FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's lacrosse team opened the 2025 schedule on Friday afternoon at Campus Field with a tough 13-8 setback to the Bryant Bulldogs in non-conference action.
 
Jamie Tanner, a key offensive player for the Pioneers, led the team with a career-high three goals and an assist, contributing four points. Rookie Bella Calvanese also made a strong impression, scoring two goals and providing an assist for three points. Defensively, Madelyn Breitbeil caused a team-high five turnovers, while Erin Herrold and Brooke Gyllenhall caused two turnovers apiece.  
 
Final Scores:
Bryant - 13
Sacred Heart - 8
 
Top Performers:
Jamie Tanner – 3 goals | 1 assist | 4 points
Bella Calvanese – 2 goals | 1 assist | 3 points
Shae Insinga – 1 goal | 1 point | 4 draw controls
Madelyn Breitbeil – 5 caused turnovers | 4 ground balls | 1 draw control
 
Between the Pipes:
Lisa Martin (0-1) – 13 goals-against | 8 saves | 60 minutes
 
How it Happened:
The Pioneers started the game with a strong performance, taking control of the first 15 minutes and edging out the Bulldogs, 3-2, for an early lead. After falling behind 1-0, Sacred Heart responded with three consecutive goals in just five minutes, gaining a two-goal advantage, 3-1. Bryant's Emily DeGeorge, however, answered back late in the quarter, scoring at 4:37 to cut the deficit to just one goal, 3-2.
 
The second quarter saw both teams exchange goals early on, resulting in two tied scores. With 4:39 left before halftime, back-to-back goals from Calvanese gave Sacred Heart a 6-4 lead, but Bryant fought back yet again, evening the score at 6-6 as the teams headed into the break.
 
For the second consecutive quarter, Bryant outscored Sacred Heart, taking a one-goal lead, 9-8, heading into the final period. Tanner scored both Pioneers' goals in the third, including a crucial man-up goal with 1:59 remaining, which evened the score for a sixth time, 8-8, keeping the Pioneers in the game.
 
Strong defensive work from the Bulldogs, highlighted by two saves from goalkeeper Sam Centofante and seven Pioneers turnovers, prevented the hosts from adding more goals, ultimately sealing Bryant's road victory.

Up Next:
The Pioneers are back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 12 with a road showdown with the Boston University Terriers. Game time is set for 4:30 PM in Boston, Mass.