Bucknell University
American
American Spoils PL Opener for Bison Women's Lax, 9-5
3/16/2002 7:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
March 16, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Gina Riitano scored four goals to lead American to a 9-5 victory over Bucknell in the Bison's Patriot League opener Saturday afternoon at the West Fields.
Melissa Montefusco had two goals and an assist for Bucknell, but the Bison fell to 3-3 overall, 0-1 in the Patriot League. American, in its first season in the Patriot League, improved to 3-3, 2-0.
Bucknell scored two of the first three goals of the game, taking a 2-1 lead after 12 minutes courtesy of goals by Amy Hasler and Suzanne Raffaele. The lead was short-lived, however, as Nadia Harmsen tied the game 42 seconds after Raffaele's go-ahead marker. Lindsay Carmichael gave American the lead for good at the 22:54 mark of the first half, and the Eagles used a 7-0 blitz to take an 8-2 lead 17:37 into the second half.
The Bison made things interesting with a three-goal run to claw within 8-5 with 4:10 remaining in the game. Montefusco scored twice and Laura Nuss once, all in a span of only 4:58. Riitano ended the surge with her fourth goal of the day with 2:19 left.
Nicole Kallis made nine saves in goal for Bucknell, while counterpart Laura Randisi stopped nine shots in the American net.
Bucknell returns to action this Thursday with another Patriot League home game against Lehigh at 1 p.m.
AMERICAN 4 5 -- 9 BUCKNELL 2 3 -- 5AMERICAN BREAKDOWN: Goals - Riitano 4, Harmsen 2, Carmichael, Mincher, Crean. Assists - McCarthy, Copeland.
BUCKNELL BREAKDOWN: Goals - Montefusco 2, Nuss, Raffaele, Hasler. Assists - Wright, Montefusco.
Team Records: American 3-3 (2-0 Patriot League). Bucknell 3-3 (0-1 Patriot League).
