Bucknell University
Colgate
Women?s Soccer Holds Off Colgate, 2-1
10/4/2015 3:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – For the second straight game, Kendall Ham and Alexis Gannon each found the back of the net to lift the Bucknell women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Colgate on Sunday afternoon at Emmitt Field. Maddie Mulford picked up an assist on the Ham goal while Karli Cirovski and Talia Szatkowski were credited for the help on the Gannon goal as the Bison improve to 6-5-2 overall and 2-1-1 in the Patriot League.
The Bison scored both goals in the first half and held off a late Colgate comeback attempt to remain unbeaten at home in head coach Kelly Kuss' first game against her alma mater. The win was also Bucknell's first victory over the Raiders since 2010.
“It's been a while since Bucknell has been able to beat Colgate,” says coach Kuss. “Today, we had some specific goals in mind and really wanted to execute our style against a really tough team.”
Bucknell scored its first goal at the 14:04 mark of the contest. Mulford slipped the ball through three defenders to a flashing Ham on the left side, who sent a left-footed shot to the far right post for her eighth goal of the season.
The Bison extended its lead in the 33rd minute. Following a Colgate foul, Cirvoski took a free kick that bounced off the chest of Szatkowski to the foot of Gannon, who ripped a shot to the left corner for the score.
Colgate missed on an opportunity in the 39th minute, when Emily Crichlow blasted a shot that forced Jessica Ratner to punch the ball over the goal for the save.
The Raiders made things interesting in the 81st minute, cutting into the Bucknell lead. Off a rebound from a shot attempt from Catherine Williams, Corey Persson tapped the ball in for the goal.
Bucknell's defense was solid when it mattered most in the final minutes of the game, standing strong against a flurry of corner kicks. Ratner was terrific in the final minutes, going up high on the Colgate corners to prevent the game-tying score.
Colgate finished with a 12-0 advantage in corners and a 17-16 edge in shot attempts. Ham paced the Bison with seven shot attempts, including three on frame. Ratner finished with nine saves in the contest.
The Bison return to action on Oct. 10, when the team hosts Navy. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m.
