PAXTON, Mass. – March 27, 2021 – After more than a year away from the field, the Dean College Bulldogs returned to action for a game with extra special meaning. Despite a tough 14-8 loss at Anna Maria on Saturday, the team competed in Dean's first contest as an official member of the NCAA Division III and the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC).

The Bulldogs go to 0-1 and will look to rebound on Saturday, April 3 with a 1 p.m. contest at Simmons University. Anna Maria improves to 1-1 and will host GNAC foe Emmanuel on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The Bulldogs were led by sophomores Jasmine Sztyler-Magee (Burlington, Conn.) and Allie Bezio (Wellfleet, Mass.). Sztyler-Magee finished with four goals, six draw controls and eight ground balls. Bezio added three goals, an assist and four ground balls. Senior Shania Springer (Bay Shore, N.Y.) contributed eight ground balls and a game best four caused turnovers.

The AMCATS opened the game with a pair of goals in the first five minutes of action. Dean responded with goals from Bezio and Sztyler-Magee.

The score was tied for less than 40 seconds when Alice Yokabaskas put the home team on top 3-2 with 18:40 to play in the first.

Bezio found the back of the net for the second time to pull the Bulldogs even at 3-3 and then sophomore Maire Brown (Huntington, N.Y.) gave Dean its first lead midway through the half.

Anna Maria ended the half with a 4-1 run, including a pair of goals from Ashley Rufo, to lead 7-5 after 30 minutes.

Sztyler-Magee cut the Dean deficit to one with her second tally of the game 31 seconds into the second half.

Yokabaskas and Rufo answered with goals to give the AMCATS their biggest lead of the day at 9-6.

After six minutes of scoreless action, Bezio pulled the Bulldogs to within a pair at 9-7 with 18:32 left to play.

The game remained 9-7 for the next 10 minutes before Anna Maria scored five times in the final 8:28 to secure the victory.

Sztyler-Magee added her fourth goal for the Bulldogs just before the buzzer to make the final score 14-8 in favor of Anna Maria.

Dean sophomore goalie Jada Fields (Acushnet, Mass.) made 10 stops, while Ashley Sheehan posted nine saves in the victory.

Anna Maria received five goals from Rufo and three from Yokabaskas.

(photo used was taken in 2020)