Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lafayette
Bucknell Women's Soccer Gets Important Victory at Lafayette, 1-0
10/21/2012 8:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 21, 2012
EASTON, Pa. -- Senior Taryn Boucher broke a scoreless deadlock with a goal with 7:06 remaining in regulation, and the Bucknell women's soccer team held on for an important 1-0 win at Lafayette on Sunday afternoon at Oaks Stadium. The Bison improved to 10-8 overall and 3-3 in the Patriot League, but even though they now own sole possession of fourth place, they have not yet clinched the final Patriot League Tournament berth.
Bucknell entered the day in a tie for fourth place with Holy Cross. While the Bison were winning in Easton, Holy Cross lost to conference co-leader Navy 2-1. Bucknell would have locked up the fourth and final Patriot League Tournament spot had Lehigh lost or tied against Colgate, the other first-place team at the start of the day, but the Mountain Hawks finished off a 2-0 weekend with a 1-0 upset of the Raiders.
That means that Bucknell sits in sole possession of fourth place with nine points, but Lehigh, Army and Holy Cross are all one victory behind with six points.
Bucknell plays at Navy next Saturday, and the Bison can guarantee a postseason berth with a win or tie against the Mids, or a Lehigh loss or tie against Holy Cross next week in Bethlehem. If Bucknell does not come away with a point in Annapolis, and Lehigh defeats Holy Cross, the Bison would be eliminated in either a two-way tie with Lehigh or a three-way tie with Lehigh and Army. If Bucknell ends up in a two-way or three-way tie with Army and/or Holy Cross, the Bison would be in.
Sunday's match with Lafayette (4-11-2, 1-5-0 PL) was a dogfight from start to finish. It was a physical game with neither team able to generate many quality chances. There were only 13 total shots in the game, seven by Bucknell and six by the Leopards.
Sandita McDermott, who earned her seventh shutout of the season and 14th of her career, made a tough save on Jaclyn Giordano in the 34th minute on what would be the Leopards' only shot on frame all day.
Bucknell upped the pressure in the second half and generated its best chances. Lafayette's All-Patriot League goalkeeper Lauren Smedley made good saves on Kayla Yee and Courtney Nelson to keep the game scoreless, but the Bison finally broke through in the 83rd minute on a senior-to-senior combination.
Jenna Tryon had just subbed on for the first time in the 81st minute, and moments later one of her first touches in the game was a perfect cross to Boucher in the box. Smedley came out to challenge, but Boucher hit a leaping volley over her head and into the net. The goal was Boucher's second of the season and fourth of her career.
Bucknell had to defend some deep throw-ins and couple of dangerous crosses in the final few minutes, but the Leopards were unable to direct anything toward the goal.
"This was about as much pressure as this group has had to face, and I am very proud of how they handled it," said coach Ben Landis, who has now guided the Bison to 10 or more wins in six of his eight seasons. "We stuck to a plan, adjusted well to a system change and defended well. Taryn scored a brave goal with a great assist from Jenna, and it was fitting that it was two seniors combining on the goal. We know we control our own situation, and we are excited about that. We are going to work hard to find a way to get a point next week against an excellent Navy team."
This was Bucknell's eighth shutout of the season, tying the program record set in 2008. McDermott now has seven solo shutouts, one shy of Kathryn Sutton's school record set in 2008. McDermott is also within one of Sutton's career shutouts record of 15.
Next Saturday's game at Navy will kick off at noon at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility.
