Bucknell University
Holy Cross
Bucknell Women's Soccer Edges Holy Cross, 1-0
10/5/2012 8:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 5, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Evelyn Nicinski scored in the 28th minute and Sandita McDermott and the Bison defense made it hold up the rest of way in a 1-0 Patriot League win over Holy Cross on Friday night at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium. The Bison picked up a big three points to get to 1-1 in league play, 8-6 overall. Holy Cross, which had beaten Army last week, fell to 5-6-1 overall, 1-1 in the Patriot League.
Holy Cross came into the game with the top-ranked defense in the Patriot League. The Crusaders had allowed a league-low 12 goals on the season, and goalkeeper Carly McCabe entered the night with a 0.61 goals-against average. But the Bison were able to get a shot past her at the 27:20 mark.
Courtney Nelson set the play in motion with a pass that leaked through a defender right to Nicinski. The Bison sophomore found herself in alone, and she slipped a low shot to McCabe's left into the back of the net for her third goal of the season. Nelson picked up her team-leading fifth assist of the season.
Holy Cross had the first dangerous moment of the game just eight minutes in, when Danielle Wasserman's volley off a bouncing corner kick was headed off the line by Nelson at the left post.
Bucknell outshot Holy Cross 11-5 in the first half and 16-11 for the game. Both teams had some good looks in the second half, including one for Bucknell right off the opening kickoff. Nelson weaved through the defense and found Brigit Falcón at the top of the box, and McCabe had to make a diving save on Falcon's shot.
Falcón had another chance at a potential breakaway about six minutes later, but McCabe came all the way out the 18 to smother her shot.
McDermott was at her best in the second half as well. She made a tricky save on Gina Righini's dipping shot 4:20 into the second half. Later, McDermott slapped away a header from Maura Fox that seemed ticketed for the right side of the goal.
McDermott finished with six saves, four coming in the second half, whle McCabe had seven for the Crusaders. It was McDermott's career-high fifth shutout of the season, which is tied for second-most in a season in program history. McDermott now has 12 career clean sheets, which is tied for third-most on Bucknell's all-time charts.
Nelson and Liz Dwornik led the Bison with four shots each, while Falcón added three as part of a strong effort from the Bison reserve unit. Senior midfielders Jenna Tryon and Meghan Fitzpatrick both finished the game and contributed to the strong defensive effort.
"We are obviously pleased with the result," said coach Ben Landis after the game. "Those are a big three points. We were able to solve their keeper on our best look of the night. In terms of how you would script a game, we were right on schedule. We got an early goal, used our subs and defended well. We are still trying to figure out how to manage a game, whether to sit and defend or press for a second goal that might end it. I really have a lot of trust in Jenna Tryon and Meghan Fitzpatrick when we are up a goal late in a game to help us finish it. Holy Cross is very much improved. They are a good team, and they are going to win more games in the league this year."
Elsewhere in Patriot League play on Friday, Colgate defeated Army 3-2; Navy edged Lafayette 3-2; and American blanked Lehigh 1-0. Colgate and Navy are both 2-0 in the league and sit atop the table with six points. Bucknell, American, Holy Cross and Lafayette are all 1-1 for three points, while Lehigh and Army are both 0-2.
Army comes to Emmitt Field on Sunday for the back end of the two-game weekend. The contest starts at 1 p.m. and will air live on Bison Vision.
