Bucknell University
Rider
Women's Soccer Blanks Rider 3-0 in Opener
8/23/2013 4:48:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The 2013 season could not have started any better for the Bucknell women's soccer team, as a pair of Chelsey Garkowski goals paved the way for a dominant 3-0 win over Rider on Friday afternoon at sunny Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium. Courtney Nelson also scored for the Bison, and sophomore Jessie Ashworth made a spectacular save on a penalty kick late in the game to preserve the shutout in her first career start in goal.
Garkowski, Bucknell's leading scorer with eight goals a year ago, needed only 4:33 to get into the scoring column in 2013. Her early strike got the Bison going, and thanks to some heavy pressure in the midfield that produced a number of takeaways, Bucknell finished with a marked advantage in time of possession. Bucknell logged a 27-10 shot advantage against a Rider side that went 10-4-3 and set a program record for highest winning percentage a year ago.
Bucknell was able to use all 21 healthy players in the game, including five - Ashworth, freshman forward Alexis Gannon, freshman midfielder Cora Climo, sophomore midfielder Madison Loos and sophomore back Alex Rosen -- who made their first career starts. Climo and Gannon were both credited with assists in their collegiate debuts.
"This was a dream start for us," said coach Ben Landis after the game. "Our entire team was clicking today. Our front three scored three goals, and we got some other great looks from other players. We are looking for production throughout our lineup. If we can get that we can be very dangerous, because it takes the pressure off a young team and a young back line."
All three Bucknell goals came off of rebounds. Senior Liz Dwornik, who had a magnificent game at center midfield, set up the opening goal with a nice square ball that connected with Climo in open space at the top of the 18. Climo took a shot that was deflected toward the end line. Garkowski outmuscled a Rider fullback for the loose ball, spun to her left foot and somehow slipped a shot between keeper Vanessa Perdomo and the near post.
Bucknell took that 1-0 lead into halftime, then doubled the cushion just 3:38 into the second period. Right back Hannah Bonotto earned the possession with a strong tackle at midfield, then sent Garkowski flying down the right sideline. Garkowski put in a beautiful cross right to the head of Gannon. The rookie's driving header solidly struck the crossbar, but Nelson was right there to head in the rebound off the fingertips of keeper Bethany May Howard, who played the second half for the Broncs. For Nelson it was her sixth career goal, while Gannon collected her first collegiate point.
That Evelyn Nicinski was even on the pitch to start the second half was quite a story in itself, and the junior set the wheels in motion for Bucknell's third goal of the day in the 57th minute. Nicinski, coming on at center back at halftime after starter Lauren Dandie took a minor injury late in the first half, broke up a long ball played into the box and steered it wide. The ball was eventually played down the left sideline to Gannon, who slipped a pass to a wide-open Dwornik inside the area. Howard made a nice save on Dwornik's hard shot, but she could not control the rebound and Garkowski was there to hammer it in. It was her third career multi-goal game and first since a four-goal outburst against Canisius last September.
Nicinski was late getting to Emmitt Field, as she had just come off a flight into Newark, N.J., from Hungary, where she had been training with Poland's senior national team as it preps for World Cup qualifying. Nicinski normally plays center midfield, but she played a strong 45 minutes at center back in this one.
The only negative for the Bison was conceding a penalty on a takedown in the box with 4:41 remaining in the game, but Ashworth came to the rescue with a great save diving to her right to turn aside Carolyn Wiley's well-taken attempt. Ashworth came into the game with two career appearances totaling 34 minutes, but she went the full 90 and earned her first career win and shutout. She was credited with two saves, as the defense kept the Broncs away from the goal for most of the night.
In addition to starters Climo and Gannon, Montana Paley, Sarah Bresette, Kelsey Witt and Shannon Donlon were other members of the freshman class to make their debuts.
"This was a total team effort," said Landis. "I'm proud of our young team and the leadership of our captains. Now we'll see where our legs are, and we are excited to get back out there on Sunday."
Bucknell plays its first road game of the year on Sunday at noon at Mount St. Mary's in Emmitsburg, Md.
