Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
#24 Rutgers
Late Flurry Lifts No. 24 Rutgers Past Bucknell Women's Soccer, 3-0
9/5/2010 8:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 5, 2010
LEWISBURG, Pa. - No. 24 Rutgers broke open a scoreless match with three goals in the final 25 minutes, spoiling a determined effort by the Bucknell women's soccer team on a pleasant Sunday afternoon at Emmitt Field. Ashley Jones scored the game-winner in the 66th minute to help the Scarlet Knights improve to 4-1, while the Bison fell to 1-4 against a tough early season schedule.
Sophomore goalkeeper Sandita McDermott (Rhinebeck, N.Y./Red Hook) was one of the stars of the day for the Bison. McDermott made a career-high 13 saves, including a number of difficult chances, and the defense in front of her held strong for most of the afternoon. McDermott was called upon quickly, as she turned aside a hard 12-yard shot from Gina DeMaio in the game's opening minute.
Bucknell's first good scoring chance came in the eighth minute, when Liz Dwornik (Endwell, N.Y./Union Endicott) and Kelliann Doherty (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) executed a nice passing combination to find Christa Matlack (South Williamsport, Pa./South Williamsport). Matlack put the ball in the net, but the offside flag was in the air and the goal was waved off.
With about 14 minutes left in the first half Jones made about a 35-yard run weaving through the defense. She pulled McDermott off her line and got a shot away, but Brooke Stokes (Gladwyne, Pa./Shipley School) hustled back to clear the ball just before it crossed the line.
Defender Kelsey Johnson (Monroe, Conn./Masuk) saved a goal with a great play in the 62nd minute. Rutgers forward Jonelle Filigno stole a pass from a defender back to McDermott to the right of the goal, but Johnson made a clean, sliding tackle right at the post to break up the play.
Rutgers finally broke through at the 65:50 mark when April Price came flying in from the right side and slid a pass across the six-yard box, where Jones was positioned in front of a defender to tap the ball in.
Bucknell had a couple of good chances to equalize. With 20 minutes remaining in the game Matlack tried to connect with Doherty in the box, but Doherty's volley attempt came up and hit her in the hand, and the hand ball was whistled before she could reload. Just over two minutes later on a free kick, Doherty tried a header from 12 yards out that required a diving save from Emmy Simpkins.
The Scarlet Knights came up with the critical insurance goal with 7:15 remaining, on a play very similar to the first goal. This time it was Tricia DiPaolo coming in from the right side to find a sliding Stefanee Pace for the goal.
Rutgers added one more with 31 seconds remaining when Filigno converted a penalty kick after being taken down in the box.
Rutgers finished with a 28-9 shot advantage and a 5-1 edge in corner kicks. Simpkins was credited with three saves for the Scarlet Knights.
The Bison return to action on Wednesday night at home against Binghamton at 7 p.m.
