Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lehigh
Field Hockey Clinches Program's First Outright PL Regular Season Title
11/1/2014 8:07:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Bucknell field hockey team clinched the program's first outright Patriot League regular season title with a 4-1 win at Lehigh on Saturday. The Bison improved to 11-5 overall and wrapped up a perfect 6-0 season in league play.
With the title, Bucknell earned the right to host the conference tournament for the first time in program history. The tournament begins at Graham Field with the semifinals on Friday and concludes with the championship game on Saturday. The four-team field is set with the Bison hosting fourth-seeded Colgate in the first semifinal matchup at 11 a.m. and second-seeded Boston University taking on third-seeded American in the other semifinal game at 2 p.m.
Lehigh jumped out to a 1-0 lead thanks to Gabby Tofig's ninth goal of the season 21:24 into the game and took that advantage into the half. But Bucknell responded in a big way in the second half, scoring four goals by four different players.
Cassie Lawrence continued her breakout season offensively for the Bison, tying the game with an unassisted goal just over eight minutes into the second half. She now has a career-high six goals on the season, good enough for second on the team and top ten in the conference.
The score wasn't tied long as Kiersten Sydnor scored her fifth goal of the season 4:44 later, giving Bucknell a 2-1 lead. Abby Watson registered the first of her two assists in the game.
It was Watson who set up the third score as well as she delivered a centering pass to Lexie Curry, who beat the goalie for her third goal of the season, giving the Bison a 3-1 lead with seven minutes to play.
The Bison added an insurance goal at the 68:20 mark, scoring on a penalty corner. Kelsey Mucelli and Amie Pritchard picked up assists on a goal by Anna Wills, her second of the season.
Shannon Keen had a solid game in goal for Bucknell, recording five saves on the way to her 11th win of the season. Julia Ward stopped three shots for the Mountain Hawks.
Bucknell concludes the regular season on Sunday as it hosts Lock Haven for a non-conference game at 1 p.m. The Bison will honor the team's five seniors – Lawrence, Maggie Murphy, Kelsey Mucelli, Pritchard and Liz Wills – who will all be playing their final regular season home game.
