Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lafayette
Bucknell Women's Soccer Stays Hot with 2-1 win at Lafayette
10/8/2010 8:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 8, 2010
EASTON, Pa. - Seniors Christa Matlack (South Williamsport, Pa./South Williamsport) and Brooke Stokes (Gladwyne, Pa./Shipley School) scored second-half goals to lead the Bucknell women's soccer team to a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Lafayette Friday night at Oaks Stadium. It was the third straight victory for the Bison, who are now 2-0 in Patriot League play.
With the win, Bucknell remained in a first-place tie with Army in the Patriot League standings. The Black Knights improved to 2-0 with a 1-0 win over Navy on Friday. Lehigh improved to 6-2-2 overall and 1-1 in the league with a 3-1 win over Colgate, and the Mountain Hawks will host Bucknell on Sunday in Bethlehem. Lafayette fell back to .500 at 6-6-1 overall and 0-1-1 in the Patriot League.
Neither Bucknell nor Lafayette was able to generate large numbers of scoring chances in this one, but the Leopards got on the board first in the 27th minute on a goal by Gina Malone, assisted by Meredith McCann.
The Bison tied it in the 59th minute on a good move by Matlack, who cashed in her team-leading fifth goal of the season. With the goal, Matlack became only the sixth player in program history to record 30 career goals, five of which have come against Lafayette. She tied Kerry McDonnell for fifth on the Bucknell all-time list.
A terrific individual run by midfielder Tara Cort (Wellesley, Mass./Wellesley) set up the game-winning goal. Cort carried the ball about 50 yards down the center of the field, weaving though traffic as she approached the penalty area. At the last second she slipped a perfect pass to her right onto the foot of Stokes, who hit the net for her fifth career goal and first of 2010.
Goalkeeper Sandita McDermott (Rhinebeck, N.Y./Red Hook) made three saves to secure the win. Lafayette's Lauren Smedley, who came in with a stellar .889 save percentage, 0.80 goals-against average and six shutouts, finished with five saves.
Bucknell (4-10 overall) outshot Lafayette 11-7 and had a 7-2 edge in corner kicks. Caitlin Holtz (Freehold, N.J./Peddie School) led all players in the game with four shots.
The Bison have now beaten Lafayette seven straight times and are 7-0-1 in their last eight against the Leopards, outscoring them 20-2 over that span.
Bucknell will kick things off at Lehigh on Sunday at 1 p.m.
