Bucknell University
Villanova
Bison Field Hockey Upsets No. 18 Villanova, 2-0
10/25/2006 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 25, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa - On a cold night at Graham Field, the Bucknell field hockey team snapped its two-game losing streak by defeating No. 18 Villanova, 2-0. This marks the first time the Bison have notched a victory over a ranked opponent. The Orange and Blue improve to 7-8 on the season, while the Wildcats fall to 12-7.
In first half action, sophomore Emily Hutchison (Leola, Pa./Conestoga Valley) posted her third penalty stoke of the season in the 12th minute of the match to put Bucknell up 1-0. After the Bison goal, Villanova went on the offensive, tallying six penalty corners. The Orange and Blue answered the challenge as they defended all six. The half ended with Bucknell up 1-0 with the Wildcats winning the advantage in shots and penalty corners, 6-4 and 6-3, respectively.
In the second, Villanova posted three shots and two penalty corners, but failed to convert due to Bucknell's intense defense. In the 55th minute of the match, junior Chyncia Smith (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) shot a laser past the Wildcats goalkeeper, but the shot bounced off the right post. Senior Katie Urosevich (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg) collected the rebound and passed back to Smith on the left side of the net for her fourth goal of the season to put Bucknell up 2-0.
After the goal from Smith, Villanova notched five shots and four penalty corners, but the Wildcats were unable to convert.
The Bison defense was led by senior Emily Groendyke (Glen Gardner, N.J./Voorhees), who posted 10 saves on the night and tallied her second shutout on the year, while Wildcats goalkeeper Alex Whalen collected two saves. Villanova's Megan Foster came into the match leading the Big East in goals and points with 24 and 59, respectively, but was shut down by the Bison defense.
The Wildcats held the overall advantage on Bucknell in shots and penalty corners, 13-6 and 12-3, respectively.
The Bucknell field hockey team will travel to Easton, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 28, to face Lafayette in its final Patriot League game. The match will begin at 1 p.m.
