Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Lacrosse Returns Home Thursday Afternoon to Face Manhattan
3/21/2007 8:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
March 21, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- When the Bucknell women's lacrosse team last played at home, a fluke goal at the final horn resulted in a crushing 9-8 loss to Robert Morris that dropped the Bison to 0-3 on the season. Things have changed considerably since that day, however, as Bucknell has won two straight away from home heading into Thursday's 4 p.m. game against Manhattan at Graham Field.
The Bison throttled Long Island 18-5 during a Spring Break trip to Florida on March 12, erasing the sting of the Robert Morris loss. The Orange & Blue backed that up with a resilient 11-9 victory at Duquesne on Sunday. Against the Dukes the Bison build an early five-goal lead, but even though Duquesne fought back within one on several occasions, Bucknell never relinquished the lead.
Sophomore defender Alex Radebaugh, freshman goalie Katie Hartsock and freshman attack Carol Donahue all earned Patriot League weekly honors for their roles in last week's victories.
Donahue and sophomore Bonnie Buechel have shouldered much of the scoring load in recent games. Donahue now has a team-high 15 points (9 goals, 6 assists) on the season, with all of those points coming in just the last three games. Buechel has a team-high 12 goals, while sophomore Sarah Collins -- last year's leading scorer -- is also in double digits with 11 points (7-4).
Hartsock has played every minute in goal for the Bison thus far, and the rookie was terrific last week, particularly in a career-best 18-save performance against Duquesne. With veterans like Radebaugh, Lauren Deitrich (team-high 16 caused turnovers), Lauren Kremer and Catherine Barry providing additional support, Bucknell's defense has been much-improved as the season has progressed.
On Thursday the Bison will be taking on a Manhattan team that is 1-4 on the season, with the lone victory a 23-9 decision over Howard on March 13 that ended a four-game losing streak to start the season. The Jaspers had a game at Binghamton postponed on Tuesday. Brenna Tinari leads the team in scoring with 17 points (11-6).
Bucknell and Manhattan have never met in women's lacrosse.
Following Thursday's game, the Bison will travel to Lehigh on Saturday for their Patriot League opener. Bucknell topped the Mountain Hawks 15-5 at Graham Field last season. The next home game is March 28 against UC Davis.
