Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Holy Cross
Sydnor, Rupnik Each Score Twice in Field Hockey's 5-2 Win Over Holy Cross
10/17/2015 1:10:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell field hockey team continued its recent success over Holy Cross by defeating the Crusaders 5-2 at Graham Field on Saturday. In a Patriot League clash with conference tournament implications, Nicole Rupnik, Kiersten Sydnor, and Emily Goodloe all scored to give the squad the home victory.
Now 7-7 overall and 3-1 in the Patriot League, the Bison are 5-2 at home, with the only two losses coming against nationally-ranked opponents. Bucknell has also won seven consecutive matches against Holy Cross, outscoring them 32-2 in that span. This year's Crusader squad is much improved, but the Bison were able to come out on top in a near must-win game.
“Holy Cross was a great opponent today. They've done a lot of improving since last year,” said Bucknell head coach Jeremy Cook. “I think the last couple years we've held them without shots and held them scoreless, but this year they were all over, controlled good sections of the game, and gave us a run for our money.”
The Bison tallied three goals in the first half, including two within a 1:04 span to put the game in their control. After Holy Cross received a green card to give the Bison a one-player advantage, Sydnor capitalized on the opportunity, scoring in the 27th minute. Amy Mucelli kept the ball in Bucknell's possession near the net off of a corner, and Sydnor buried it past the goalkeeper to give the team a 2-0 lead.
Just over a minute later, Bucknell took advantage of another corner. Goodloe scored from just inside the arc with assists from Kayla Sullivan and Estelle Palandjian, putting Bucknell up 3-0 by the end of the first half. This was the first goal of Goodloe's career, as the junior defender led the team with five shots.
Early on, Rupnik set the pace for the Bison, scoring 7:14 into the first half. Midfielder Kelsy Kauffman brought the ball down the right sideline, got past her defender, and continued down the goal line before setting up Rupnik perfectly for the goal.
The difference in penalty corners was a huge factor in the first half, as the Bison had six corners compared to one for Holy Cross. Bucknell recorded 15 shots on the day, while the Crusaders were stymied offensively, failing to register a shot on goal throughout the entire first half.
Holy Cross did manage to show some life to start the second half and received a big opportunity with a penalty stroke in the 39th minute. Maureen Connolly buried the shot to cut the Crusader deficit to two goals.
Bucknell goalie Emily Finn earned the victory in her second career start, improving to 2-0 on the season. The sophomore made two saves on the day behind a strong Bison defense that had been limited beforehand by several injuries.
Sydnor scored her second goal of the day to give Bucknell some more breathing room in the 49th minute. She held the ball in the attacking zone as she weaved through defenders. After the goalkeeper missed on a diving attempt to stop Sydnor's movement towards the goal, Sydnor managed to fend off a defender and score on the open net to push the lead to 4-1.
Now with nine goals on the season, Sydnor leads the team and is tied with American's Rafaela Rubas for first among all Patriot League players. She ties Sue Lenker-Hitchings '83 for tenth on Bucknell's all-time points list with 61, and she also moves up into sole possession of seventh on the all-time goals list with 27.
The final Bison goal of the day came off the stick of Rupnik, her seventh goal of the season, good for second on the squad. Sullivan tallied her second assist as well on the play after her short cross allowed Rupnik to put the Bison up 5-1. Holy Cross would add another score with minutes remaining in the second half to complete the scoring.
With the victory, the Bison are in a strong position to earn a berth to the Patriot League Tournament with two conference contests remaining. It would be their eighth straight postseason appearance.
Bucknell will remain at home Sunday, as Penn will visit for the Bison's final home game of the season. The team's five seniors will be honored before the game, which is scheduled for a noon start.
