Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Mount St. Mary's
Women's Soccer Tops Mount St. Mary's, Now 2-0 on Season
8/25/2013 5:25:00 PM | Women's Soccer
EMMITSBURG, Md. -- Liz Dwornik and Evelyn Nicinski scored off corner kicks and the Bucknell women's soccer team posted its second straight shutout to start the 2013 season, 2-0 over Mount St. Mary's on Sunday afternoon at the Waldron Family Stadium. The Bison, who defeated Rider 3-0 on Friday, are 2-0 for the first time since 2003.
Playing on the road and on artificial turf for the first time this season, Bucknell took the better part of the first half to settle in, and the Bison cashed in on a corner kick with exactly 10 minutes left before intermission. Mount St. Mary's broke up the initial serve, but the clearance came to Dwornik about 20 yards out. Dwornik hit a solid side volley under the crossbar to give Bucknell the lead.
Bucknell earned another corner kick in the 57th minute, and freshman Cora Climo picked out Nicinski coming forward from her center back position. Nicinski drove a running header into the back of the net for her first goal of the year. Climo earned her second assist in as many games.
The Bison thought they had a third goal later in the half when freshman Sarah Bresette broke up a back pass and scored, but the play was called offside and the goal waved off.
Sophomore Jessie Ashworth made her second career start in goal and made four saves en route to her second straight shutout. Mount St. Mary's, which was coming off a 1-0 opening-day win at UMBC, had two good scoring opportunities but could not cash in. Jackie Corley missed a gaping net at the half-hour mark, and in the 80th minute Julia DiGiacomo hit the right post, and Ashworth dove on the loose ball in the goal mouth.
For the Bison the shutout was all the more impressive considering they began the day without two starting fullbacks, and a third starting defender had to leave the game in the final minutes of the first half. Freshmen Climo and Montana Paleyplayed well at the two outside back spots, and Nicinski, normally a midfielder, and Hannah Bonotto held down the center. Courtney Nelson also came back from her outside midfield spot to help close out the game on defense.
"We are very happy to get through the opening weekend 2-0," said head coachBen Landis. "This was a typical first Sunday of the season, where you have to deal with recovering legs and the heat, and to top it off it we had to adjust to the turf. But any time you are struggling but can cash in on two corner kicks, that is a great feeling. Cora serves such a great ball. She and Brigit Falcón can put it where they want it on set pieces, and we have some height. Evelyn's timing on the header was just professional, she really struck it well."
Bucknell finished with a 15-13 shot advantage and a 9-5 edge in corner kicks. Rachel Bourne and Vicky Cocozza split the game in goal for the Mountaineers. Each gave up a goal, and they combined for six saves.
Bucknell is now 11-1-1 all-time against Mount St. Mary's.
Bucknell has two more games next weekend in the Pittsburgh area. The Bison visit Pittsburgh on Friday at 5 p.m., then they go to Robert Morris on Sunday at 1 p.m.
