Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Cornell
Bucknell Field Hockey Falters in 3-1 Loss at Cornell
10/11/2011 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 11, 2011
ITHACA, N.Y. - Kelly Stefanowicz (Lansdale, Pa./Mount St. Joseph's Academy) scored her first career goal, but the effort was too little, too late as Bucknell field hockey fell 3-1 to Cornell at Marsha Dodson Field on Tuesday afternoon. Despite being on the downside of the score, the Bison, which are now 4-8 on the year, earned more shots and penalty corners than the Big Red in the non-conference matchup.
Bucknell trailed by two goals before it could get on the board. The Bison drew two penalty corners in the second half, and it was the second opportunity that resulted in the goal. Mallory Smith (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) and Marci Richard (Oley, Pa./Oley Valley) earned assists on the play, keeping them tied for the team lead in the category. The two seniors now have six apiece on the season.
Stefanowicz becomes the sixth Bison, and the third who is not a freshman, to notch her first career goal in 2011. The junior's successful shot came with 21:17 left in the game and brought the score to 2-1.
Cornell (5-6) took a 1-0 lead into halftime thanks to a goal from Olivia Boyd. The advantage grew early in the next frame as Hannah Balleza redirected a centering pass into the cage past Bison keeper Erica Perrine (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan). Not long after Bucknell showed off its offense, Cornell put the game solidly out of reach as Mallory Bannon connected on a penalty stroke for the final score of 3-1.
Although the squads recorded three shots each in the first half, Bucknell ultimately ended the day with a slight edge in the stat, 10-9. The Bison also wrapped things up with a 6-4 advantage in corners.
Perrine is now 4-5 in goal for the Bison after making three saves and allowing all three goals against the Big Red. Alex Botte (3-5) earned the win with four saves and one goal allowed.
The loss ends Bucknell's five-game winning streak against Cornell. Another streak will be put to the test on Saturday when the Bison head to Bethlehem, Pa., for a Patriot League matchup against Lehigh at 1 p.m. Bucknell has taken each of the last three decisions against the Mountain Hawks.
