Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lafayette
Field Hockey Clinches Postseason Berth with Exciting 2-1 Win Over Lafayette
10/18/2014 2:50:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell field hockey team clinched a spot in the 2014 Patriot League Tournament with an exciting 2-1 win over visiting Lafayette on Saturday afternoon at Graham Field. The Bison, who improved to 9-4 overall and a perfect 4-0 in the conference, also took over sole possession of first place with Colgate's 4-1 loss at American.
The Bison trailed 1-0 at the half, but received goals from Kayla Sullivan and Kiersten Sydnor just over two minutes apart to take a 2-1 lead. The Leopards had a penalty corner chance as time expired, but their shot from the top of the arc was blocked, dropping them to 5-9 overall and 1-4 in the conference.
With Bucknell trailing 1-0 in the second half, Sullivan received the team's first penalty stroke of the season. She easily beat the goalie to the left side, tying the game with less than 19 minutes remaining on the clock. It was Sullivan's first goal of the season.
The Bison took advantage of the swing in momentum and quickly had the ball back on the offensive end. Cassie Lawrence delivered a pass to Abby Watson, who sent a nice pass to Sydnor in front of the goalie. Sydnor finished with the game-winning score, her fourth of the season.
Lafayette's goal came just 7:55 into the first half. Kelsey Mead, the team's leading scorer, tallied her fifth goal of the season with an assist from Rosie Shanks.
Shannon Keen made one save to pick up her ninth win for Bucknell. The lone save was a nice one as she extended her stick to the right to stop a shot off a Lafayette penalty corner to keep the score 1-0 in the first half. Katelyn Arnold made four saves in a losing effort for the Leopards.
After six straight losses in the series with Lafayette, Bucknell has now won each of the past two meetings.
Bucknell will play a pair of games next weekend, with the important one to be played on Friday when it travels to Colgate. With a win over the Raiders, the Bison will host the four-team Patriot League Tournament on Nov. 7-8.
