Spada caps Bulldogs rally with match-winner 12 minutes into second half

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (September 8, 2007) – Bryant University, among teams receiving votes in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, erased an early deficit with two unanswered goals to upset No. 5-ranked Franklin Pierce University in Northeast-10 Conference women's soccer action at the Bryant Turf Complex.

Senior Tricia Spada (Dedham, Mass./Dedham) scored the deciding goal for Bryant with a blast from 35-yards out into the upper right corner of the net 11:54 into the second half. The marker was Spada's fifth in as many matches.

Junior Jessica Clark (Barnstable, Mass./Barnstable) made five saves in goal to preserve the victory for Bryant, who were out-shot by Franklin Pierce 7-5 in the tightly contested match. Senior Jenna Mello (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) had two stops for the Ravens.

Senior All-American Gabriela Demoner (Curitiba, Brazil) opened the scoring on the night when she one-timed a pass from classmate Jenna Giardina (Pittsfield, Mass./Taconic) 18:29 into the match to give Franklin Pierce the initial lead. Bryant wasted no time equalizing as sophomore Holly Tyser (Somers, Conn./Somers) headed in a cross by junior Amy Orzechowski (Milford, Conn./Joseph A. Foran) less than five minutes later at 23:11.

Bryant limited Franklin Pierce to just two shots in the final 45-minutes, with the only Raven shot after Spada's winner coming in the 78th minute when Demoner missed wide left of the goal.

Franklin Pierce (3-1-1, 1-1-1 NE-10) returns to action Tuesday when it hosts Assumption College at 7 p.m. Bryant (5-0-1, 2-0-0 NE-10) visits Bentley College on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.