Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
American *
American Rallies Late for 9-8 Victory over Bucknell Women's Lax
3/13/2004 7:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
March 13, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Moriah Linnell's goal with 35 seconds remaining capped a late four-goal rally and lifted American to a 9-8 victory over Bucknell in a rematch of last season's Patriot League championship game Saturday afternoon at chilly Graham Field. Meredith Wright scored three times for the Bison, who fell to 2-2 (0-1), while American improved to 2-3 (1-0).
After falling behind 5-2 after the opening 20 minutes the Bison made a six-goal charge, scoring three times in the final five minutes of the first half to pull even, then adding the first three tallies of the second period to take an 8-5 lead.
Emily Burman came from behind the net to score with 36 seconds left in the half to pull Bucknell within one, then after winning the draw, Lauren Kremer picked up a loose ball and fed Wright for a goal with 16 seconds left to knot the game at 5-all.
Wright scored twice in the first 1:50 of the second half and Katie Edge finished the 6-0 run 11 minutes later when she stuffed in a nifty pass from Laura Nuss on free-position play.
But the Eagles, who defeated the Bison 15-6 to claim the Patriot League title a year ago, controlled the late stages of the contest. With 11:19 left in the game, Linnell scored American's first goal in 28:55 to make it 8-6. Tara Michael scored with 10:23 left to bring the Eagles within a goal, and Rebecca Copeland tied it off a feed from Lindsay Cartin with 5:17 to play.
American controlled the ensuing draw and patiently looked for a chance to take the lead. The Eagles were whistled for a turnover with 1:43 left, however, but the Bison turned it right back over on the clear attempt. After Michael shot wide with a minute to play, Linnell charged along the left side and scored with a lefthanded shot with 35 seconds to play.
Bucknell had a final shot when Annie Greenspun secured the draw. Edge got a good look at the goal from about four meters out with three seconds to play, but Kathleen Finnegan made a stick save on a shot ticketed for the upper right corner.
Both teams launched 22 shots in the contest, while Bucknell held an 18-15 edge in ground balls.
Bucknell returns to action on Monday, when it battles Columbia at 2 p.m. in West Palm Beach, Fla.
