Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Penn State
Bucknell Women's Lacrosse Drops Season Opener to No. 18 Penn State, 15-2
2/16/2010 7:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 16, 2010
LEWISBURG, Pa. - No. 18 Penn State parlayed a 12-goal first half into a 15-2 victory over Bucknell in women's lacrosse action Tuesday at frigid Graham Field. Ten different players scored goals for the Nittany Lions, while Becca Devine (Arlington, Va./St. Stephen's & St. Agnes) and Julia Braun (Tomkins Cove, N.Y./North Rockland) tallied for the Bison in the second half.
In the opening minutes Penn State looked like a top-20 team that had already beaten 14th-ranked Loyola (Md.) 9-8 on Sunday, while the Bison resembled a team facing live competition for the first time this season. The Nittany Lions (2-0) outshot the Bison (0-1) 23-2 and outscored them 12-0 in the first half.
Penn State had possession for most of the first half, as it won eight of the 13 draws. When the Bison did gain possession they quickly gave it back, as they had 14 turnovers and were just 3-for-8 clearing in the opening stanza.
Bucknell trailed 13-0 midway through the second half when it scored consecutive goals just 1:32 apart. Devine came from behind the cage, drew contact as she split two defenders in front, then spun and fired home the team's first goal of the year. Moments later Ashley St. John (Wayne, Pa./Conestoga) corralled the draw, and Braun beat a defender into open space before firing home her first goal of the season.
Braun had a solid overall day, adding four draw controls and two ground balls. St. John and Allie Mongan (Malvern, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) led the team with three ground balls each.
Bucknell started three freshmen on opening day: midfielders Paige Cobbs (Annapolis, Md./St. Mary's) and Ryan Wenk (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset) and defender Adrienne Wendling (Bethesda, Md./Bullis School). Mongan, a sophomore, also made her first career start.
It was a balanced attack for Penn State, as no player scored more than two goals. Molly Fernandez and Bridget Callahan both had two goals and two assists, while Theresa Bucci, Laura Lesnick and Hayley Sofarnos also scored two goals.
In goal, Alyssa DeLorenz (Garland, Texas/Plano East) finished with nine saves. Penn State split its goalies. Stephanie Ellis started and made one save, while Dana Cahill came in for the second half and stopped five shots, including a couple from point-blank range.
Penn State finished with a 32-10 shot advantage and won the ground ball battle 19-13. The Bison committed 25 turnovers to only 12 for the Nittany Lions, and Bucknell won nine of the 19 draws.
Next up for the Bison is another home game on Sunday at noon against Davidson at Graham Field.
