Field Hockey Heads to No. 18 American with PL Regular Season Title on the Line

LEWISBURG, Pa. – When Bucknell and No. 18 American take to Jacobs Field in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, the two teams will be playing with a significant prize at stake – the 2013 regular-season Patriot League field hockey title. Heading into the weekend, the Eagles sit in sole possession of the top spot in the conference standings with their 4-0 record in league action, but the Bison, who have compiled a 4-1 Patriot League mark, will look to topple the leaders with a win and claim at least a share of the regular-season title for the first time since 2009. The game, Bucknell's final Patriot League contest of the regular season, is set to begin at 12 p.m. and will be video streamed live on the Patriot League Network.

As the Patriot League enters the final two weekends of the regular season, three squads are still in contention for the regular-season title. While American could claim it outright with a win this weekend and on Nov. 2 against Lehigh, both Bucknell and league newcomer Boston University could share the title with the Eagles if they claim victories in their last conferences matches of the season. For the Bison that means a win on Saturday, while the Terriers would need to defeat Lafayette on Saturday, Nov. 2. These three teams have already clinched spots in the Patriot League Tournament, to be held on Nov. 8 and 9, while the fourth spot remains up for grabs.

In spite of strong defensive play against tough opponents last weekend, Bucknell (7-8, 4-1 PL) fell 2-0 to Boston University on Saturday before suffering a 3-0 defeat to New Hampshire in Sunday's non-league contest. The Bison have played to a 4-1 mark in Patriot League action this season, tying them for second with the Terriers in the conference standings, and are currently outscoring their opponents 34-28 and outshooting them 12.9 to 9.3. The squad is tied for first in the Patriot League in assists (25), while also ranking second in the league in scoring average (2.25 goals per game) and total goals (34).

Bucknell boasts three of the top ten scorers in the Patriot League, with senior Rachel Misko's 17 points (8 goals, 1 assist) making her the team's top offensive threat and ranking her fourth. Misko also leads the conference in game-winning goals, and each of her three have come in a league victory. Senior Leigh Hillman (7 goals, 2 assists) is tied for fifth with 16 points, while sophomore Abby Watson (6 goals, 2 assists) is tenth with 14 of her own. Junior Maggie Murphy has also aided the offense in significant ways and is tied for sixth in the Patriot League with four assists.

Senior Erica Perrine continues to put together strong performances in her defense of Bucknell's goal, making 62 saves and allowing just 28 goals. Her 1.92 GAA ranks her second amongst Patriot League goalkeepers, while her .689 save percentage puts her fifth.

Bucknell and American have met on 24 previous occasions, including twice last season, and the Eagles own a 19-5 advantage over the Bison. American earned a 2-1 victory in the 2012 regular season before claiming a 4-0 win in the opening round of that year's Patriot League Tournament, while Bucknell's last win came in the 2011 conference tournament.

American (10-4, 4-0 PL) was ranked 18^th in this week's NFHCA poll after earning a 4-3 upset over No. 2 Connecticut last Sunday, and the Eagles claimed three of the four Patriot League weekly awards after that performance. The team is currently ranked first in the conference in scoring average (2.72), goals against average (1.22), goals (40) and shots per game (15.43). Additionally, American is outshooting its opponents 15.4 to 11.1 and holds a 40-18 advantage in scoring.

The Eagles' three top scorers are all tied for seventh in the Patriot League with 15 points, as Shelly Montgomery (6 goals, 3 assists), Grace Wilson (7 goals, 1 assist) and Carly Atchison (4 goals, 7 assists) have all been instrumental to American's offense. Atchison leads the conference in assists, while Victoria DeKepper ranks third with six of her own.

Ashley Dalisera has played 12 games between the pipes for the Eagles, allowing 18 goals and making 68 saves. Her .791 save percentage ranks first among Patriot League goalkeepers, while her 1.45 GAA is second best.

Bucknell will conclude its regular season next weekend with one final contest on Graham Field. The Bison will take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a 2 p.m. contest on Sunday, Nov. 3 and will begin the game by honoring the contributions and careers of the team's four seniors.