Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Rutgers
No. 23 Rutgers Rallies for 2-1 Win over Bison Women's Soccer
8/24/2012 8:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 24, 2012
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Sophomore Courtney Nelson pocketed her first career goal just six minutes into the match, but Canadian national team member Jonelle Filigno came back with a pair of goals seven minutes apart in the second half to lift No. 23 Rutgers to a 2-1 victory over Bucknell Friday evening at Yurcak Field. The Scarlet Knights, who defeated Ohio State and Monmouth last week, improved to 3-0 on the season, while the Bison fell to 0-2 heading into a Sunday home game with Robert Morris.
"There are no moral victories and we came here to win, but we played very well tonight against a good team in a good atmosphere," said head coach Ben Landis. "We scored a terrific goal and defended like gangbusters, but Filigno was masterful up top for them."
Bucknell pressured Rutgers early in the contest, nearly scoring off a corner kick just two minutes in. Corinne Collins sent a header just wide of the far post. But only four minutes later, midfielder Evelyn Nicinski attacked the defense and slipped a through ball to Nelson, who finished the breakaway for her first collegiate tally.
Rutgers did not attempt a shot until the 22nd minute, and Bison keeper Sandita McDermott was only needed for one save in the first half.
The Scarlet Knights drew even through Filigno just under nine minutes into the second half. The redshirt junior, who just won a bronze medal with Team Canada at the London Olympics, got to a loose ball in the box just before a charging McDermott, and Filigno was able to finish from a sharp angle into an empty net.
In the 61st minute, the Bison defense cleared away a long throw-in, but Maria Gerew played the ball back into Filigno inside the 6-yard box. Filigno was deemed to be onside, and she finished for her fifth goal of the young season.
Rutgers finished with a 14-4 shot advantage, including a 9-0 edge in the second half. McDermott finished with four saves for the Bison, who had two corner kicks to just one for Rutgers.
Sophomore Hannah Bonotto made her first career start and played all 90 minutes on the back line. Bonotto, Collins, Bridget Gilmartin and freshman Lauren Dandie had a strong defensive game for the Bison.
Bucknell will be home on Sunday for a 3 p.m. match against Robert Morris. The Colonials dropped a 3-2 home decision to Youngstown State on Friday to fall to 0-3 on the season.
