March 17, 2009
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LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell women's lacrosse squad plays at home for the first time in 17 days when it hosts Binghamton in a non-conference game Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Graham Field at Holmes Stadium. Now 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the Patriot League, the Bison are coming off a 2-1 road trip, with both wins coming in league play.
A tremendous defensive effort helped Bucknell turn back American 6-4 on Saturday, and coupled with a come-from-behind 12-11 win at Lehigh a week earlier, the Bison are off to a 2-0 conference start for the first time in program history. On Wednesday they will look to extend the strong start to the season against a Binghamton squad that is 2-3, with wins over Temple (16-11) on March 6 and Monmouth (10-9 in overtime) last Friday. Most recently, the Bearcats dropped a 12-11 decision to Canisius at home on Sunday.
Scouting Binghamton:
The Bearcats are in their eighth season of varsity play and are seeking their first winning season. Last year's team won a program-record five games.
Binghamton has played three straight one-goal games and has outscored its opponents 62-61 on the season.
Beth Moore leads the team with 15 goals in five games. Those 15 goals have come on just 31 shots.
Ali Castiglie and Lisa Illig have eight goals apiece, Lis Zuern has seven, and Kate Tesi and Emily Thon have six each. Castiglie and Illig were both members of the America East All-Rookie Team in 2008.
Lauren Scott has started the last four games in goal and has a .544 save percentage and 10.31 goals-against average.
Series Notes:
Bucknell and Binghamton have played just once previously, that a 10-8 Bucknell win in the 2006 season opener. The Bison trailed that game 4-3 at the half, then scored seven times in the second half to pull out the win. Current seniors Catherine Barry and Bonnie Buechel both made their collegiate debuts as starters in that game. Buechel had a goal and an assist.
Bison Bits:
Sophomore goalie Alyssa DeLorenz earned her third Patriot League Goalie of the Week honor in the last four weeks on Monday. She made nine saves and allowed only four goals in the win over American on Saturday.
The Bucknell defense gave up only one goal in the final 56:24 of the American victory. The Bison allowed single-digit goals only twice in 14 games last season, but this year they have already done it four times.
Bucknell has already surpassed last year's Patriot League win total, and it needs just one more victory to reach their overall win total from all of 2008.
Carol Donohue scored three goals against American and remains Bucknell's points leader with 18 (13G, 5A). Bonnie Buechel (15-0-15), Julia Braun (10-1-11) and Chelsea Peters (9-2-11) are also double-figure scorers.
Braun ranks second in the Patriot League in draw controls (17) and third in ground balls (24). Buechel is just behind in the GB category with 20, and she leads the team with 10 caused turnovers.
DeLorenz ranks second in the Patriot League in save percentage (.511) and total saves (71).
Bucknell has allowed 44 first-half goals this season but only 29 in the second half.
Next Up:
Bucknell plays its first home Patriot League game of the year on Saturday when Lafayette visits Graham Field. That game will be broadcast live on Bison Vision.
