Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Colgate
Field Hockey Clinches Patriot League Hosting Rights with 5-1 Win at Colgate
10/25/2014 1:14:00 PM | Field Hockey
HAMILTON, N.Y. – Five different players scored to help Bucknell field hockey remain unbeaten in Patriot League play with a 5-1 win at Colgate on Saturday. With the win, the Bison clinched at least a share of the conference title and hosting rights for the Patriot League Tournament for the first time in program history.
Bucknell improved to 10-4 overall and a perfect 5-0 in the conference. The five conference wins are the most in program history, while the 10 wins overall are the most since the Bison went 12-7 in 2009. Colgate dropped to 4-10 overall and 3-2 in the league.
Colgate jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead with a goal by Rebecca Libutti just 4:16 into the game. Libutti's third goal of the season came off a penalty corner and was assisted by Eliana Brown and Jessica Gardiner.
Bucknell's defense came alive after the opening goal and shut down Colgate for the rest of the first half. Meanwhile, the offense got going as Amy Mucelli and Emma Fitzgerald scored eight minutes apart midway through the half to give the Bison a 2-1 lead at the break.
Mucelli's goal was her second of the season and was assisted by Liz Wills. Fitzgerald also recorded her second goal of the year.
The score remained 2-1 for the first 20 minutes of the second half before Bucknell broke through with three goals in less than 10 minutes. The scores came from Anna Wills, Kayla Sullivan and Kelsey Mucelli.
After not attempting a penalty stroke for the first 12 games of the season, the Bison have scored on penalty strokes in back-to-back games, both by Sullivan.
Mucelli's goal finished the scoring at 65:55. Abby Watson assisted on the goal, which was the second of the season for Mucelli.
The Bison will face a tough test on Sunday when they play their fourth nationally-ranked opponent of the season. They will play at No. 10 Syracuse at 2 p.m.
