Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Villanova
Women's Lax Falls 11-9 at Villanova
2/28/2015 6:38:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
VILLANOVA, Pa. -- Sophomores Maddy Molinari and Christina Manis had five-point afternoons, but the Bucknell women's lacrosse team came up two goals short in an 11-9 loss at Villanova on Saturday. Molinari logged four goals and an assist, and Manis tallied three goals and two assists for the Bison, who are now 2-3 on the season.
Jackie Froccaro had four goals and an assist for Villanova (1-2), which never trailed in the game but had to fight off a couple of hard charges from the Bison in the second half.
The Wildcats led 5-2 at halftime and 7-2 after Froccaro's goal 5:39 into the second stanza. But the Bison stormed back with a 4-0 run in a span of just 3:02 to pull within 7-6. Ally Furbay got it going with a score off a feed frrom Emily Kookogey, and then Molinari scored three straight times in less than two minutes. Her free-position shot with 20:19 to play made it a one-goal game.
Kelsey Denihan answered with an 8-meter shot for Villanova just over two minutes later, and that ignited a decisive 4-0 surge for the Wildcats. Jessica Mucci's goal at the 9:07 mark made it an 11-6 game. The Bison fought until the end, with Molinari, Manis and Eve Lukowski scoring in succession to cut the deficit to 11-9, the latter coming with 45 seconds left.
Gretchen Richter claimed the ensuing draw, but Denihan forced a turnover and the Wildcats ran out the clock.
Villanova outshot the Bison 32-21 and led 11-10 in draw controls and 25-17 in ground balls. Bucknell goalie Elizabeth Duswalt made 12 saves, while Jaclyn Fraum (5) and Julia Michaels (2) combined for seven for Villanova.
Next up for the Bison is the Patriot League opener next Friday at home against Lehigh at 5 p.m.
