Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Longwood
Bucknell Field Hockey Wins First Game of Season, 4-1, Over Longwood
8/31/2008 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell field hockey team scored four goals in the game's first 16 minutes and withstood a second-half barrage of shots by Longwood, to defeat the Lancers 4-1 Sunday at Graham Field. The win was the first of the season for the Bison (1-1) and new head coach Jeremy Cook. Amanda Faust (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming West Valley) and Katie Ruiz (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area) each had a goal and an assist for Bucknell, while Morgan Kauffman (Millersville, Pa./Penn Manor HS) assisted on three of the team's four goals.
"We had an amazing first half," Cook said. "Our corner conversion was excellent and that was one of our pregame points."
The Orange and Blue scored their first goal 77 seconds into the contest, as Ruiz found the back of the goal for her first career tally. Eight minutes and 28 seconds into the game, Bucknell struck again, as Faust rocketed home her first goal of the year on a penalty corner, assisted by Ruiz and Kauffman. The third Bison goal game via the stick of Jacquie Kataneksza (Harare, Zimbabwe/Arundel School), tipping home a ball that Faust played to the front of the goal cage. The Bison converted their second penalty corner of the day with just under 20 minutes remaining in the half, as Megan Krebs (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./GAR Memorial) scored off of a nice pass from Corinne Raczek (Ocean Township, N.J./Ocean Township), set up by Kaufmann.
Cook was really pleased with the play of Kataneksza, citing her all-around play and enthusiasm as keys to the victory.
"Jacquie was the player of the game," he mentioned. "Her offensive spark is fantastic. She is very dangerous inside the circle, while also providing a great defensive effort."
While the first half was almost all Bison, the second half featured the Lancers (0-2) on the attack. They outshot the Bison 9-1 in the period, outcorned them 4-0 and scored the half's lone goal, as Carla Binnewies tallied off of a penalty corner. Fortunately for Bucknell, only four of Longwood's 12 shots in the contest were on goal, and goalkeepers Jessie Atieh (North Caldwell, N.J./West Essex) and Sarah Zargarpour (North Vancouver, Canada/Handsworth Secondary) were up to the task, combining for three saves.
"Longwood really stepped up in the second half," Cook said. "It is a great lesson for us, and we will have to get better at finishing an opponent off. We did receive good performances by both goalkeepers and that helped."
The Orange and Blue will return to game action next weekend, traveling to Owings Mills, Md., for the Towson Tournament to be played at Villa Julie College. Bucknell will play Ball State on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 10 a.m., and Towson the following day at 9:30 a.m.
