Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Soccer Set for Home Meeting with Saint Francis (Pa.) on Wednesday
9/11/2007 8:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 11, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell women's soccer will be playing the 300th game in program history on Wednesday as the Bison will face Saint Francis (Pa.) at 7 p.m. at home on Varsity Soccer Field. Bucknell is currently 2-2-0 on the year and is coming off a win against UMBC, while the Red Flash enter the contest with a record of 3-1-0.
BISON WOMEN'S SOCCER NOTEBOOK
Game Coverage
- Saint Francis (Pa.) Red Radio will be broadcasting the game live over the internet. Click here to listen.
No. 300
- On Wednesday, Sept., 12, when the Bison play host to St. Francis (Pa.), the match will be the 300th in Bucknell women's soccer history. The program currently holds an all-time record of 139-144-16 (.492).
About the Series
- The Bison hold a 12-2-0 advantage in the series against Saint Francis (Pa.) since the teams first met on Oct. 29, 1992. Bucknell came away with a 2-1 win when the squads matched up in Loretto last season on Sept. 13, ending a 12-game unbeaten streak for the Red Flash on their home field. Junior Jennifer Dervarics (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) and senior co-captain Krista Lee Gentile (North Haledon, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy) both scored for the Bison in the contest, Gentile netting the winning tally in her 2006 season debut. Bucknell has won its last two meetings against Saint Francis (Pa.), with the Red Flash's last victory coming by a 2-1 margin in Loretto on Oct. 28, 2003.
Scouting the Red Flash
- Saint Francis (Pa.) carries a three-game winning streak into Wednesday's contest, picking up shutout wins over Northeastern (2-0), Howard (5-0) and Canisius (1-0). The team dropped a 3-1 decision at Akron to open the season on Aug. 31. Alanna Vespa leads the Red Flash with eight points on four goals, including one game-winner. Haleigh Dunyon and Katie Dougherty follow with three points on one goal and one assist, Dunyon with a game-winning tally to her credit. Jessica Boyer has played 354:51 minutes in net, holds a 0.76 goals against average and has made 11 saves for a .786 save percentage.
Last Time Out
- The Bucknell women's soccer team opened its 2007 home schedule on a high note as freshman Christa Matlack (South Williamsport, Pa./South Williamsport Area) and Dervarics each netted a pair of goals to help the Bison to a 5-1 victory over UMBC on Sept. 9 on Varsity Soccer Field. Matlack's tallies were the first two of the contest and included the game-winner. Freshman Julianne Harris (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler Area) notched her first collegiate point, assisting senior Kimberly Cannon's (Matawan, N.J./Old Bridge) goal in the 89th minute.
Youth Movement
- Over three of the first four contests of the season, Bucknell's starting lineup has consisted of one senior, two juniors, four sophomores and four freshmen. In addition to freshmen Kelliann Doherty (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional), Amanda Citron (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield), Caitlin Holtz (Freehold, N.J./Peddie School) and Matlack all making their first career starts on Aug. 31 vs. Yale, it marked the first career starts for sophomores Chelsea Brinkman (Clearwater, Fla./Palm Harbor University High School), Molly Linhart (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel Area) and Kathryn Sutton (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville Area). Freshman Kelsey Johnson (Monroe, Conn./Masuk) has also made two starts on the year, as well.
About the Bison
- The Bison have played their first three of their first four contests on the road and have recorded wins at Sacred Heart (1-0) and at home versus UMBC (5-1).
- Dervarics leads Bucknell in points with seven on three goals and one assist. She scored the game winner at Sacred Heart and matched her career high with five points against UMBC.
- Matlack follows Dervarics with six points on three goals. She scored the first of her career at No. 12 Rutgers in the 57th minute to give Bucknell a 1-0 lead in that contest. Against UMBC, she netted the first two of the game, including the deciding tally. She carries a two-game scoring streak into Wednesday's match.
- Doherty scored her first of her career at Yale and dished an assist in the win over the Retrievers this past Sunday.
- Sutton has played all 360 minutes in net for the Bison had holds a 1.50 goals against average and an .800 save percentage. She has made a total of 24 saves and recorded her first career shutout against Sacred Heart on Sept. 2. Against No. 12 Rutgers, she made a career-high 10 saves.
Home Sweet Home
- Over its first two seasons playing on Varsity Soccer Field, the Bucknell women's soccer team has compiled a 14-3-0 record at its home facility, including a 6-0-0 mark at home during the regular season in 2006. The Bison have not suffered a regular season loss at home since Oct. 11, 2005 (1-0 to Lehigh).
Weekly Awards and Honors
- Dervarics was named Patriot League Honorable Mention on Sept. 4, after scoring the game winner at Sacred Heart.
- Matlack earned her first Patriot League BRINE Rookie of the Week honor on Monday, Sept. 10, after recording a three-goal week with one at Rutgers and two against UMBC, including her first career game winner.
- Sutton picked up her first career Patriot League BRINE Goalkeeper of the Week award on Monday, Sept. 10, for her 10 save performance at Rutgers and her win over UMBC.
In the Polls
- The Bison were selected second in the Patriot League preseason poll, the team's highest ranking since 2002 (2nd with 78 points, three first-place votes, also 2nd in 1996). The Bison totaled 85 points, which is their most ever in the preseason poll.
Looking Ahead
- Bucknell will travel to Moon Township, Pa., to play at Robert Morris this Saturday, Sept. 15, before settling in for three straight home matches against Penn State, Cornell and Marist.
