Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Lax Hosts American Saturday in Key Patriot League Tilt
4/20/2006 8:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
April 20, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - With one day remaining in the 2006 Patriot League women's lacrosse season, Bucknell is one of three teams fighting for the two remaining Patriot League Tournament berths, and everything will be decided on Saturday. Or will it?
Entering the weekend American sits in third place at 3-2 in the league, while Bucknell and Lafayette are tied for fourth at 2-3. American visits Bucknell at noon on Senior Day at Graham Field, while Lafayette plays at arch-rival Lehigh on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
The tournament picture is extremely muddled, and Saturday's matinee in Lewisburg still might not clear it up. In other words, a Bison victory does not guarantee a playoff spot, but on the other hand a loss does not eliminate them from contention. There are four scenarios that could take place on Saturday:
If Bucknell and Lehigh Win: Bucknell would be seeded third and American fourth, based on Bucknell's head-to-head win over American.
If Bucknell and Lafayette Win: A three-way tie for third would exist between Bucknell, Lafayette and American. All tiebreakers would be exhausted and a random draw would determine the final two tournament seeds.
If American and Lehigh Win: American would be seeded third, and a three-way tie for fourth would exist between Bucknell, Lafayette and Lehigh. Bucknell would be seeded fourth, based on the rarely needed tiebreaker dealing with record against common non-conference opponents. The difference would be Bucknell's victory over Davidson back on March 4. Lehigh and Lafayette both lost to Davidson.
If American and Lafayette Win: American would be seeded third and Lafayette fourth.
The Bison can at least get themselves into a coin-flip situation with a victory over American, but that will be no small task. The Eagles have beaten Bucknell six straight times dating back to Bucknell's last series win in 1998, and they lead the all-time series 8-3.
Bucknell has been the hotter team of late, however. After a 2-9 start the Bison have won four games in a row by a total margin of 58-17. Over the last two weeks the Bison have routed Villanova (13-4), Wagner (13-5), Lehigh (15-5) and Saint Francis (17-3).
The quartet of Emily Burman (13 goals), Sarah Collins (12), Jackie Bodnar (10) and Bonnie Buechel (8) have been red hot over that span, combining for 43 of the team's 58 goals. All four have now topped the 20-goal plateau for the season. Goalie Lizzy McDaniel has also been terrific during the streak, making 35 saves while allowing only 17 goals for an eye-popping .673 save percentage.
American has lost four straight and five out of six, including a 17-3 loss to Colgate last weekend. Still, the Eagles have plenty of firepower, led by 28-goal scorer Moriah Linnell.
The contest will be preceded by Senior Day festivities, as the Bison will honor its five seniors - Burman, McDaniel, Tory Field, Jenny Osborn and Rachel Prowler.
