Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Towson
Climo?s Goal Lifts Women?s Soccer To 1-0 Win Over Towson On Opening Night
8/21/2015 11:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – After Bucknell had two goals overturned due to offside calls earlier in the second half, Cora Climo ripped a shot from the right side off a pass from Devan Schulte in the 86th minute to lift the Bison to a 1-0 victory over Towson on Friday night. Bucknell picked up its first win of the 2015 season in the head coaching debut of Kelly Kuss.
The first goal that was overturned occurred in the 54th minute, when Danielle Piccirilli headed the ball into the net, but was waved off. The Bison thought they scored another goal in the 83rd minute off a rebound and shot from Lauren Dandie, but like the first goal, it was called off due to being offside.
The third time would be a charm for the Bison with less than five minutes remaining in regulation. After the getting the ball into Towson territory, the Tigers tried to clear the action, but the ball was intercepted by Schulte, who found Climo for the game-winning score.
“We had a number of great opportunities throughout the game,” said coach Kuss. “Part of me felt that it was just a matter of time before one went in the back of the net. Cora's goal was fantastic, and tonight we needed a fantastic goal to win 1-0.”
Bucknell was the aggressors on offense, outshooting the Tigers 16-4. The game was scoreless at the half, with both teams finding themselves with scoring opportunities but unable to convert.
In the 16th minute, Kendall Ham put a move on her defender to give her enough space for an attempt, but was robbed of the goal by Taylor Sebolao. Goalkeeper Jessica Ratner, who finished with three saves, had a terrific save in the 28th minute. Erin Kelly had a good look that forced Ratner to go full extension to knock the ball away off the top of the crossbar.
“[Jessica Ratner] had a huge save in the first half. That save was one of those saves that keeps you in the game, and then after that save remained solid through the rest of the game and was able to keep her clean sheet.”
The Bison had another opportunity to score in the 34th minute off a cross from Ham, but the ball just missed Sarah Bresette at the back post.
Bucknell really buckled down on defense in the second half, allowing just one shot.
“Going into the game we knew that Towson was very strong defensively, their center backs especially are very strong, experienced players”, said Kuss. “We knew that we were going to have to put them under a lot of pressure in order to have some success.”
In addition to holding the advantage in total shots, the Bison led 12-2 in corner kicks. Climo and Alexis Gannon led all players with four shots each.
The Bison return to action on Sunday, when they begin a four-game road trip at UMBC. Game time is slated for 1 p.m.
