Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
American (PL Champ.)
Bison Women's Lacrosse Falls to American in PL Championship Game, 15-6
4/27/2003 8:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
April 27, 2003
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Bucknell women's lacrosse team made its first-ever trip to the Patriot League championship game, but it was the host team American coming out victorious in a 15-6 decision on Sunday, April 27. Bison senior Suzanne Raffaele set a BU career points record in her final college game, one game after setting the school's all-time goals record.
The first ten minutes of the contest proved a defensive battle with neither team getting great looks at the goal. Gina Riitano got the Eagles on the scoreboard first with an unassisted goal at the 24:48 mark. The Orange and Blue responded with two unanswered to take their only lead of the game.
Junior Amy Hasler accepted a pass from Raffaele with eight minutes gone in the first, before receiving help from Meredith Wright just a minute later. Raffaele's assist gave her 171 career points, a new Bucknell record. With Wright's helper, the junior set a new Bucknell single-season mark with 27.
Riitano tied the game with her free position goal six minutes later, and Patriot League Tournament MVP Nadia Harmsen converted a free position shot with 13:02 left in the first to put the Eagles back on top. A Raffaele score just over one minute later made it a 3-3 game.
American scored the next six goals of the game, including the final four of the half to lead 7-3 at the break.
Trailing 9-3 early in the second, Raffaele finally broke Bucknell's 17:50 scoring drought with an unassisted shot with 23:59 to go. The Eagles refused to let the Bison get on a roll, however, coming right back with a goal from Harmsen.
Both teams were held in check for over 11 minutes, before Laura Repoli tallied her second of the game with 10:23 left, giving American an 11-4 cushion. Bucknell scored only twice in the final 9:40, and each time, the Eagles answered with two of their own. Wright and Laura Nuss scored the final two goals of the season for BU, on the way to the 15-6 loss.
The Bison end the year at 8-8 overall, the program's best record since 1998. American improves to 11-6 overall and advances to the NCAA Tournament with its first Patriot League title.
