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Preview and Match Day Live

Photo courtesy Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC USL Championship – Week 10 Riverhounds 1, Rhode Island FC 0 Match Stats: USL Championship Match Center Instant Match Summary The Riverhounds SC picked up a much needed full three points, earning the club’s first road victory in USL Championship play this season, beating Rhode Island FC, 1-0, at Centreville […]

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Preview and Match Day Live




Photo courtesy Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

USL Championship – Week 10

Riverhounds 1, Rhode Island FC 0

Match Stats: USL Championship Match Center

Instant Match Summary

The Riverhounds SC picked up a much needed full three points, earning the club’s first road victory in USL Championship play this season, beating Rhode Island FC, 1-0, at Centreville Bank Stadium, on Saturday afternoon in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Hounds captain and New England native, Danny Griffin scored the match’s lone goal — taking advantage after a Robbie Mertz corner kick was cleared away by driving a low, bouncing shot into the back of the net for his team leading third goal of the season.

It was a classic Lilleyball victory for the Hounds (3-5-2, 11 points), who struggled a bit at the start to gain control of the match as Rhode Island started off strong, with three shots on frame in the first 30 minutes.

Riverhounds goalkeeper Eric Dick made five saves for the clean sheet, including a close range chance which kept the shutout in the 86th minute.

The hosts led the way in key statistical categories including shots (13-10, 5-4 on frame) and possession (60/40).

First half
Dick was tested early, making his first stop on a long-range attempt by Clay Holstad barely two minutes into the match. Holstad would try his luck again on a volley in the 17th minute, and while it was struck well, Dick was in good position to make the save and control the ball.
The Hounds threatened early, as well, as Robbie Mertz struck a good shot of his own from 20 yards out on the left side, and it forced a diving stop by Rhode Island goalie Koke Vegas to push the ball around the post.
Another chance from just inside the box fell from a free kick to Rhode Island’s Maxi Rodriguez, but the former Detroit star pulled his open volley attempt wide right of the goal.
Griffin’s decisive strike came in the 37th minute from a corner kick that Rhode Island was only able to clear to near the top corner of the box. That was where Griffin struck the ball with his first touch, and his bouncing shot found its way through traffic and inside the near post.
Second half
Chances kept coming immediately after the teams returned. Rhode Island’s Frank Nodarse was barely off target with a volley less than four minutes after play resumed.
A minute later, Bertin Jacquesson nearly doubled the Hounds lead. His off-balance shot from inside the box struck the base of the left post but caromed away from danger.
As the half progressed, the Hounds moved into a more defensive posture, but Dick needed to make one more critical save in the 86th minute. A long cross from the right side cleared everyone in the middle of the field and fell to Rhode Island’s Jojea Kwizera alone on the left side. Kwizera took a touch toward goal and fired from a sharp angle, but Dick was able to smother the chance and leave no rebound.
The Hounds nearly added an insurance goal in the 90th minute when Charles Ahl found space on the left side of the box and beat Vegas with his shot, but Grant Stoneman cleared Ahl’s shot off the goal line to keep it a one-goal game.

The teams will meet again next week at Highmark Stadium, on Saturday, May 31, but the match will be a group stage match in USL’s Jagermeister Cup.

Look for a more detailed recap to follow here along with reaction from Head Coach Bob Lilley.  

Match Day Updates

Look for match updates and commentary to be posted here.

FINAL — PITTSBURGH 1, RHODE ISLAND 0

90′ ++ — Augi Williams with a great chance in transition but it’s saved by Vegas!!

90′ — Charles Ahl chance is saved off the line!!

87′ — Yellow Card.  Danny Griffin booked for some time wasting.

86′ — SAVE!  Eric Dick denies close range chance for RIFC!

76′ – Hounds Subs

  • IN — Bradley Sample and Charles Ahl
  • OUT — Jacquesson and Mertz

66′ – Another good spell of possession, but it ends with the offside flag raised against Jacquesson.

59′ – Zach Herivaux shown RI’s second yellow card after a foul on Griffin after he released a pass. No advantage, free kick

49′ – OFF THE POST! Falling attempt by Jacquesson in the box, and it hits the base of the left stick squarely before ricocheting away.

HALF — PITTSBURGH 1, RHODE ISLAND 0

Good finish to the first half for the Hounds, who brought more quality build up and pressure in the last 15-20 minutes.  Rhode Island started off the match on the front foot, but Pittsburgh remained solid defensively and brought an effective high press at times to stall and frustrate the hosts.

Hounds held shots edge (7-5) thought RIFC had three on frame while the Hounds had two between the posts.   RIFC with 55/45 possession edge.

44′ – Walti creates a turnover and unleashes a shot that goes just high of the bar from 25! Nearly a second right before half

Good continued pressure from Hounds.

38′ – GOAL – Riverhounds

Danny Griffin

Started with Mertz corner — cleared out but right to Griffin’s foot.  The Rhode Island native buries it.

36′ – another good build up but Biasi settles for shot from distance which goes over bar!

33′ – Excellent sequence starts with Jacquesson cross, Mertz lays it back for Walti who has shot blocked

29′ – Yellow Card — Overzealous challenge by Walti

27′ – free kick chance from Sanchez finds Rodruigez who hits one-time volley too high

25′ – Mertz free kick connects with Suber but header goes over bar

21′ – cross for RIFC ends up to cenert of box for Dikwa who has shot blocked.  Maybe should have let thru for Rodrigez open on back post

15′ — Mertz chance!! From 25 yards a solid DIRECT hit but great diving save by Koke Vegas.

7′ – RIFC build-up leads to Maxi Rodriguez low chance that is deflected out for corner.  Corner is cleared away.

6′ – Yellow Card — issued to Beto Ydrach for a late slide attempt knocked RIFC player into advertising board by technical area.

3′ — Off side negates RIFC chance from outside box from Holstad

4:05 p.m. — Match has kicked off.  Hounds are once again wearing their road all White with gold and black trim kit.

3:30 p.m. — STARTING LINEUPS

HOUNDS

1 Dick GK
3 Barnes DF
13 Biasi DF
23 Vacter DF
5 Suber DF
16 Ydrach DF
42 Walti MF
14 Mertz MF
2 Griffin (C) MF
9 Williams FW
10 Jacquesson FW

RIFC

1 Koke Vegas (C) GK
5 Stoneman DF
3 Sanchez DF
6 Mabika DF
15 Nodarse DF
20 Herivaux MF
17 Kwizera MF
12 Holstad MF
21 Rodríguez MF
11 Fuson MF
10 Albert Dikwa FW

Preview / What’s at Stake?

The Riverhounds finish up a crazy April and May stretch of playing eight out of the last 10 matches on the road with a trip to Rhode Island, where they’ll face the defending Eastern Conference champs and USL Cup runner-up, Rhode Island FC at the brand spanking new Centreville Bank Stadium at Tidewater Landing, in yet another matinee kickoff on the road.

The Hounds have not won a league match since late March.

Thus, any result would be a positive, but especially three points.  The Hounds (8 points) are still somehow right on the edge and above the playoff line and Rhode Island — thanks to two straight wins in league play are four points ahead in sixth place.

If the run of form for both clubs through the early part of the season is any indication, this contest could resemble a rock-fight.

Low-scoring matches have been the norm for both teams this season, and they also played to a 0-0 draw in their first-ever meeting in Rhode Island a year ago. Only 19 combined goals — for and against — have been scored in Rhode Island’s matches this year, and only five teams have a lower total than that, one of which is the Hounds with a league-low 16 goals scored in their nine contests.

Still, RIFC is coming off winning two matches on the road against teams at the bottom of the standings (see below) but they’ve yet to win a match in their new stadium.  They might be feeling that this match-up vs the Hounds provides a solid opportunity given how much the Hounds have struggled on the road this season.

The clubs will play again next week in Pittsburgh, but it will be as part of USL’s Jagermeister Cup tournament round-robin play.

Rhode Island FC: A Closer Look

With Head Coach Khano Smith leading the way in the club’s first season, as a six seed out of the Eastern Conference, RIFC made a remarkable playoff run to the USL Championship Final — only to lose at Colorado Springs.

Much like they did a year ago, Rhode Island were meddling, playing in a lot of low scoring contests early in the season, but they enter this match with more momentum, delivering a six-point week on the road — beating two teams (Birmingham and Tampa Bay) at the bottom of the standings was exactly what they needed.   In fact, Rhode Island FC is currently riding an unbeaten streak of four games, which is the third-longest in club history and longest since last season’s historic run to the USL Championship Final.

Former Hounds Golden Boot winner Albert Dikwa is coming back from injury and just getting back into his team’s regular rotation this month, while other former Hounds Marc Ybarra and Dani Rovira also have been unavailable for a large chunk of the season.

Low-scoring matches have been the norm for both teams this season, and they also played to a 0-0 draw in their first-ever meeting in Rhode Island a year ago.

Pittsburgh did put together an impressive shut out of Rhode Island in the return match at Highmark when they were pushing for a postseason spot.

Debutant Jacquesson scores, leads Hounds back to playoff position

Only 19 combined goals — for and against — have been scored in Rhode Island’s matches this year, and only five teams have a lower total than that, one of which is the Hounds with a league-low 16 goals scored in their nine contests.

Still, the wins at Birmingham and Tampa Bay showed that this squad could be just rounding into form at a good time.

Much like Bob Lilley coaches Riverhounds teams when they’re peaking, Smith’s squad does an excellent job of dictating terms of matches, especially in the past two wins.

They have solid defensive group, along with goalkeeper Koke Vegas and this year’s new addition, Aimé Mabika, has been strong at center back.

RIFC’s midfield was dynamic in the win at Tampa controlling possession and having been responsible for — not one or two, but three long-distance strikes that connected — first it was Clay Holstad in the first half, then former Rowdie Zachary Herivaux and Noah Fuson each scored from distance.

Here’s how RI lined up against Birmingham.

Riverhounds SC Personnel / What to Expect

The Riverhounds made the quick trip up from Philadelphia to the Ocean State following its midweek US Open Cup Round of 16 clash with MLS Philadelphia Union — a humbling 4-1 loss.  Now, they have to recover and be ready for an important league match.  The club had a light training session on Friday.

The good news for the Hounds is that they don’t have anyone on the injury report for the first time in a long time.

Despite the team’s struggles on the field through the early part of the season, Head Coach Bob Lilley has been able to dip deeper into the roster depth at times, but whether he’s truly found the best combination for success in producing a 90-minute performance is still yet to really happen.

Rhode Island are a good defensive team so the Hounds have to be more dynamic in the final third or this could be a long season.

There’s no sign that Danny Griffin and Jackson Walti or the center back core (Sean Suber and Beto Ydrach) will sit for any big league matches, even on the tail end of a three-match in eight day stretch.

Otherwise, the Hounds could opt to roll out Jacquesson and Augi Williams at the top of the attack again hoping they can finally break through.  Primarily coming off the bench, Jorge Garcia is tied for the team lead in goals this season in all competitions with two strikes from behind the box.  Maybe it’s time Garcia gets a chance to play extended minutes?

Could the Hounds also give veteran keeper Eric Dick a rest too?

Regardless, Pittsburgh will likely use most of if not all of their alotted subs to help them get to the finish line this week as they push for an all-important result on the road.

John K’s Projected Riverhounds Starting XI 




John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of ‘Miracle on the Mon’ — a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).


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Full 2025 Women’s College World Series Finals Schedule

On Feb. 7, 309 teams took the field for the start of the college softball season—each harboring dreams of Oklahoma City. Now, nearly four months later, just two remain. Beginning Wednesday, Texas and Texas Tech will square off in the finals of the Women’s College World Series. The matchup is fascinating. In one dugout will […]

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On Feb. 7, 309 teams took the field for the start of the college softball season—each harboring dreams of Oklahoma City.

Now, nearly four months later, just two remain. Beginning Wednesday, Texas and Texas Tech will square off in the finals of the Women’s College World Series.

The matchup is fascinating. In one dugout will sit the Longhorns—eight-time qualifiers for the Women’s College World Series and, though they lack a softball national championship, the definition of “old money” in college sports. In the other will sit a Red Raiders team that lured their star—pitcher NiJaree Canady—with a $1 million NIL offer; the nouveau riche squad has just eight NCAA tournament appearances to its name.

This is without question the most high-profile athletic matchup in Texas Tech and Texas’s underrated rivalry since the latter bolted for the SEC. Here’s a look at the schedule for the series.

2025 Women’s College World Series Finals Schedule

GAME NUMBER

TEAMS

DATE

TIME

CHANNEL

1

No. 12 Texas Tech vs. No. 6 Texas

June 4

8 ET

ESPN

2

No. 12 Texas Tech vs. No. 6 Texas

June 5

8 ET

ESPN

3 (if necessary)

No. 12 Texas Tech vs. No. 6 Texas

June 6

8 ET

ESPN

All three games will air at 8 ET (7 CT in Oklahoma City). They are scheduled to take place on three successive days, and ESPN will show them on television.

Now, here’s a quick look at both teams’ path to the championship.

How Texas Reached the 2025 Women’s College World Series Finals

ROUND

OPPONENT

RESULT

Austin Regional

Eastern Illinois

W 10–2 (5 innings)

Austin Regional

Michigan

W 16–4 (5 innings)

Austin Regional

UCF

W 9–0

Austin Super Regional

Clemson

L 7–4

Austin Super Regional

Clemson

W 7–5 (10 innings)

Austin Super Regional

Clemson

W 6–5

Women’s College World Series

Florida

W 3–0

Women’s College World Series

Oklahoma

W 4–2

Women’s College World Series

Tennessee

W 2–0

The Longhorns breezed through their home regional, never seriously encountering a challenge. The Super Regional was a different matter. Underdog Clemson surprised Texas in Game 1 before the Longhorns pulled out a thrilling Game 2 in 10 innings. Texas held off the Tigers in Game 3 and has largely cruised ever since, giving up just two runs in the Women’s College World Series.

How Texas Tech Reached the 2025 Women’s College World Series Finals

ROUND

OPPONENT

RESULT

Lubbock Regional

Brown

W 6–0

Lubbock Regional

Mississippi State

W 10–1 (6 innings)

Lubbock Regional

Mississippi State

W 9–6

Tallahassee Super Regional

Florida State

W 3–0

Tallahassee Super Regional

Florida State

W 2–1

Women’s College World Series

Ole Miss

W 1–0

Women’s College World Series

UCLA

W 3–1

Women’s College World Series

Oklahoma

W 3–2

After a smooth regional in West Texas, the Red Raiders have faced white-knuckle affair after white-knuckle affair en route to their first Women’s College World Series finals. Canady completely neutralized Florida State’s offense in the Super Regionals, and opened World Series play with a two-hit shutout against Ole MIss. Texas Tech’s crowning moment as a program thus far came against Oklahoma, as first baseman Lauren Allred’s walk-off sacrifice fly knocked out the four-time defending national champions.

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Men’s Hockey Hosts End of Season Banquet

By: Dan Richeal Story Links HANOVER, N.H.—On Wednesday, Dartmouth men’s hockey held its annual end of season banquet and handed out the end of season awards. Dartmouth forward Hayden Stavroff earned the Booma Award given to the first-year player of Dartmouth men’s hockey who through determination, desire, dedication, and ability earns […]

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HANOVER, N.H.—On Wednesday, Dartmouth men’s hockey held its annual end of season banquet and handed out the end of season awards.

Dartmouth forward Hayden Stavroff earned the Booma Award given to the first-year player of Dartmouth men’s hockey who through determination, desire, dedication, and ability earns the “Rookie of the Year” award. The award is given in honor of Roland C. Booma ’30, an all-around Dartmouth athlete including football and baseball as well as hockey.

Stavroff skated in 31 games for the Big Green and scored 10 goals and added 12 assists while earning All-Ivy Second Team honors.

Alex Krause was the recipient of the John Manser Award which is awarded to the “Most Improved Player”. The award is given in honor of George “Johnny” Manser ’26, Captain of the 1926 varsity men’s hockey team and the Friends of Men’s Hockey First President.

Krause saw a jump in both games played and points in 2024-25 as he played in 31 games for the Big Green while scoring a career high four goals and adding a career high eight assists.

Junior forward Cam MacDonald was awarded the Smoyer Award which is awarded to the varsity player who has made the most unusual contribution to Dartmouth men’s hockey that year. The contribution is measured more by intangible factors than statistical results – in short, the “Unsung Hero.” The award honors Bill Smoyer ’67, Captain of the 1967 Dartmouth men’s hockey team and an outstanding soccer player who was killed in Vietnam.

MacDonald played in all 33 games as a junior, he scored a career high six goals while picking up a career high 10 assists. He blocked 13 shots for the Big Green while being a key contributor on the Dartmouth penalty kill.

Senior Captain Steven Townley was named ‘Sportsman of the Year’ and was awarded the McInnis Award. The award is given to the player that has best reflected spirit, camaraderie, loyalty and dedication to Dartmouth men’s hockey and to Dartmouth College. The award is in honor of Philip McInnis ’36, President of the Friends of Men’s Hockey from 1979 through 1984.

The Woodstock, Vt. native closed out his career with his hometown team in 2024-25 after 119 career games. This season he scored four goals along with four assists while also being one of five national finalists for the Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award.

CJ Foley took home the Phelan Award given to the player that demonstrated outstanding skill at his position, continued aggressiveness and team spirit, deserves to be named as the “Most Valuable Player of the Year”. The award is in honor of ardent Dartmouth hockey enthusiast, Martha M. Phelan, wife of John Phelan ’28 and mother of John Phelan, Jr. ’63, Captain of the 1963 Dartmouth men’s hockey team.

Foley had one of the best seasons in Dartmouth history for a defenseman as he skated in 33 games with 11 goals and 19 assists. Following the season, he was named Ivy League Player of the Year, First-Team All-Ivy, First Team All-ECAC, and an ECAC Player of the Year finalist.

Nikita Nikora and Foley were both honored as the “Friends of Dartmouth Men’s Hockey Leading Scorer” as the duo finished tied in points with 30 points.

Nikora was one of the top assist men in the country as he had 26 assists along with four goals as a sophomore. Both he and Foley were Hobey Baker nominees. Nikora has 50 career points in 58 games through two seasons while Foley has 50 points in 65 career games.

Dartmouth men’s hockey season ticket deposits are now on sale. Fans can make their deposit for the 2025-26 season by clicking here.



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Former Proctor Goaltender AJ Reyelts to Play College Hockey at UMD

Reyelts last suited up for the Rails back in the 2023-2024 season. PROCTOR, Minn.- A local hockey product will be staying close to home to play college hockey. Former Proctor goaltender AJ Reyelts announced his commitment to UMD on Wednesday. Reyelts was originally set to skate for Lindenwood but decommitted after a coaching change. He […]

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Reyelts last suited up for the Rails back in the 2023-2024 season.

PROCTOR, Minn.- A local hockey product will be staying close to home to play college hockey.

Former Proctor goaltender AJ Reyelts announced his commitment to UMD on Wednesday.

Reyelts was originally set to skate for Lindenwood but decommitted after a coaching change.

He last suited up for the Rails back in the 2023-2024 season.

In 19 games played, Reyelts posted a 14-5 record with a saves percentage of .942





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Wilkes-Barre Area celebrates Class of 2025

Graduates line up to receive their diplomas. Margaret Roarty | Times Leader Class Valedictorian Angelena Tokiko Mendola speaks during Wednesday’s ceremony. Margaret Roarty | Times Leader Graduates sit during the ceremony. Margaret Roarty | Times Leader Class Salutatorian Angelique Maxine […]

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<p>Graduates line up to receive their diplomas.</p>
                                 <p>Margaret Roarty | Times Leader</p>

Graduates line up to receive their diplomas.

Margaret Roarty | Times Leader



<p>Class Valedictorian Angelena Tokiko Mendola speaks during Wednesday’s ceremony.</p>
                                 <p>Margaret Roarty | Times Leader</p>

Class Valedictorian Angelena Tokiko Mendola speaks during Wednesday’s ceremony.

Margaret Roarty | Times Leader



<p>Graduates sit during the ceremony.</p>
                                 <p>Margaret Roarty | Times Leader</p>

Graduates sit during the ceremony.

Margaret Roarty | Times Leader



<p>Class Salutatorian Angelique Maxine Calise Martinez gives the welcome address during Wednesday’s ceremony.</p>
                                 <p>Margaret Roarty | Times Leader</p>

Class Salutatorian Angelique Maxine Calise Martinez gives the welcome address during Wednesday’s ceremony.

Margaret Roarty | Times Leader



<p>Graduates proceed through the arena to their seats.</p>
                                 <p>Margaret Roarty | Times Leader</p>

Graduates proceed through the arena to their seats.

Margaret Roarty | Times Leader



WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Wilkes-Barre Area celebrated the Class of 2025 Wednesday with a commencement ceremony at the Mohegan Sun Arena. This year’s seniors were the first to graduate after spending four full years in the new high school.

Speakers included Valedictorian Angelena Tokiko Mendola, Salutatorian Angelique Maxine Calise Martinez, Principal Michael Grebeck and Superintendent Brian Costello.

For more information about the ceremony, including a full list of graduates, be sure to check out the Times Leader’s special graduation section publishing later this month.



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Bryant field hockey announces 2025 schedule

Story Links SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Bryant field hockey announced its 2025 schedule on Thursday, a 17-game schedule that includes 11 home games and trips to regional foes Providence and Boston U. The Bulldogs will be under the direction of first-year head coach Kellie Joyce and will welcome the return of 15 […]

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SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Bryant field hockey announced its 2025 schedule on Thursday, a 17-game schedule that includes 11 home games and trips to regional foes Providence and Boston U.

The Bulldogs will be under the direction of first-year head coach Kellie Joyce and will welcome the return of 15 players from the 2024 team, including double-digit point scorers Natalie Griffin and Callie Caito and the goaltending duo of Sara DeSousa and Maud van Lierop.

Schedule Highlights

  • Bryant will play 11 home games, including four-straight to open the season.
  • The Bulldogs will make trips to Providence College and Boston U.
  • Bryant’s home conference games will include UAlbany and defending America East champion Vermont.

Bryant opens the season with four-straight home games, beginning with Northeast Conference members New Haven (Aug. 29) and Stonehill (Aug. 31). The Black and Gold close out the opening four-game homestand against Dartmouth (Sept. 5) and Hofstra (Sept. 7).

The Black and Gold then make trips to Providence (Sept. 12) and Boston U (Sept. 21). Bryant and PC will be meeting for the eighth time in program history, while the Bulldogs and Terriers will meet for just the second time and first since the 2017 season.

A Tuesday afternoon home game with Holy Cross (Sept. 23) and a road trip to La Salle (Sept. 28) are the final two tuneups before the Bulldogs open America East play at home against UMass Lowell (Oct. 3). 

Bryant’s AE opener with UML starts a four-game homestand that includes games against Cornell (Oct. 5), UAlbany (Oct. 10) and Merrimack (Oct. 12). The Bulldogs then hit the road for games at Maine (Oct. 17) and Brown (Oct. 19). Bryant picked up its first-ever win over Maine last season, rallying from 3-0 down to earn a 4-3 overtime victory. 

The Black and Gold close out the home slate as they welcome defending America East champion Vermont on Oct. 24 and non-conference foe Bellarmine on Oct. 26. Bryant will head to UNH for a Halloween contest to close out the regular season. 

 



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Inside Gymnastics Magazine | Li Li Leung to step down as USA Gymnastics President & CEO at end of 2025

PER A PRESS RELEASE FROM USA GYMNASTICS INDIANAPOLIS (June 5, 2025) – Having led a historic turnaround that saw athlete health, competitive achievement and business success powerfully align, USA Gymnastics President & CEO Li Li Leung on Thursday announced that she will step down from her role at the conclusion of 2025. Since her hiring […]

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PER A PRESS RELEASE FROM USA GYMNASTICS

INDIANAPOLIS (June 5, 2025) – Having led a historic turnaround that saw athlete health, competitive achievement and business success powerfully align, USA Gymnastics President & CEO Li Li Leung on Thursday announced that she will step down from her role at the conclusion of 2025.

Since her hiring in March 2019, Leung has worked with the USAG board of directors, staff, and the broader gymnastics community to guide USA Gymnastics through a cultural transformation that began a new chapter for the sport and re-established USAG as a leader in the Olympic and international gymnastics movements.

“The opportunity to lead USA Gymnastics has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime,” Leung said. “Thanks to the dedication of the entire gymnastics community, we are now in an incredible position as we turn our attention to the L.A. Olympic Games. The last several months have been a time of great reflection, and I know that now is the right time to pass the torch to the next leader, with the sport and organization thriving. I wanted to ensure the board has the opportunity to conduct a thorough search and also give my successor a long runway into the 2028 Olympic Games. I’m going to take some time to reset before determining what is next, and I look forward to USA Gymnastics accomplishing great things in 2025 and beyond.”

“Li Li was the right leader at the right time for USA Gymnastics and accomplished in six years what many thought was not possible,” said Board Chair Kathryn Carson. “Her deep passion for gymnastics and extraordinary dedication to leading transformation has positioned USA Gymnastics to move boldly toward LA28. With this strong foundation, we are confident we will identify a leader to build on Li Li’s legacy.”

With a new board of directors established in 2018, a new mission statement and set of organizational values that prioritizes athlete safety, and nearly 70% new staff, USA Gymnastics moved rapidly toward rebirth since Leung took on the role of President & CEO. USA Gymnastics established its Athlete Bill of Rights in December 2020, a movement that was among the first of its kind in sport, and emerged from bankruptcy in 2022 with a foundational culture of athlete support and safety driving organizational decision-making.

Since that time, USA Gymnastics has unveiled an expanded funding structure for National Team athletes that brought greater equity across disciplines and genders and introduced a groundbreaking program to help provide mental health visits to National Team athletes and their coaches. The organization has restored its corporate partnership family with both Fortune 500 and endemic brands, headlined by the the largest partnership in its history, a five-year deal with Nike that extends through the LA28 Olympic Games. On the grass roots level, USAG now boasts more than 3,300 member clubs, nearly 240,000 members, and sanctions more than 3,500 events on an annual basis.

USA Gymnastics athletes have likewise experienced a resurgence of success, with the last two years alone bringing history-making performances across all disciplines. Among the most notable achievements are 11 medals including women’s team gold at the 2024 Olympic Games, historic men’s team bronze medals in Paris and the 2023 World Championships, 10 medals at the 2023 Trampoline & Tumbling World Championships including team gold, the first-ever medal for an American at a rhythmic World Championships at the 2023 Junior Worlds, and the first World Cup and World Championships medals for American parkour athletes.

Leung was voted vice chair of the NGB Council of the U.S. Olympic sport governing bodies in 2020 and was elected to the Executive Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) in 2021, winning re-election in 2024. She was named a Sports Business Journal “Power Player” in 2020, an SBJ Gamechanger in 2024, and USAG was nominated as Team of the Year for the 2025 Sports Business Awards. Leung was recognized on the 2023 A100 list as one of the country’s most impactful Asian Americans and named a 2025 WISE Woman of the Year.

USA Gymnastics has engaged CAA Executive Search to lead the search for Leung’s successor, with the intent to have a new president and CEO identified prior to her departure at the end of the year.

For a full bio of Li Li Leung, visit the USA Gymnastics website.



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