Bucknell University
Iona
Ham's Hat-Trick Lifts Women's Soccer to Third Straight Win, 5-0 Over Iona
9/11/2015 7:41:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Kendall Ham's hat-trick highlighted a great offensive performance, and Bucknell recorded its third straight shutout with a 5-0 win over visiting Iona in non-conference women's soccer action Friday at Emmitt Field. The Bison improved to 4-2-1 on the season, winning their past three matches by a combined score of 10-0, while the Gaels dropped to 1-6.
Bucknell has been dominant in its past three matches, posting three consecutive shutouts for the first time since blanking Buffalo, St. Bonaventure and UMBC in 2012. During that stretch, the Bison have outshot their opponents 96-20, including a 42-5 advantage in shots on goal, and have taken 23 more corner kicks (28-5). They have given up just 0.71 goals per game this season, which leads the Patriot League by a large margin.
“Offensively, we are starting to see the players on the field clicking and the chemistry coming together,” said Bucknell head coach Kelly Kuss. “I also have to give credit to our back five, because there has been three games in a row with a zero on the opponents' scoreboard, which is always a good thing to see.”
Ham scored Bucknell's first three goals Friday, the first coming in the ninth minute. She took the ball out of the box to the right side before coming back around and delivering a 20-yard, left-footed blast. The shot went off the crossbar and straight down, just crossing the line for the score.
Bucknell used the crossbar to its advantage again as Ham scored her second goal in the 24th minute. After some nice combo passing, the Bison played the ball wide left to set up Madison Loos with a good look. Her shot tipped off the crossbar, but Ham was there to head home the rebound and give the Bison a 2-0 lead. Loos was credited with her first assist of the season.
The Bison held a 2-0 lead at the break and kept the pressure on early in the second half. Ham just missed the hat-trick on two opportunities, the first coming in the 50th minute when she hit the crossbar. The ball bounced straight down again, but this time just outside the goal line. Maddie Mulford was there for the rebound but missed wide. Ham had another good look thanks to a cross from Sarah Bresette in the 54th minute, but her header attempt sailed high.
Ham's third goal was eventually scored on a penalty kick with 24 minutes remaining on the clock. The score gave her the first hat-trick of her career and the first for Bucknell since Chelsey Garkowski's four-goal game against Canisius in 2012. Ham leads the Patriot League with five goals this season.
Iona had its best chance to score in the 76th minute, but a shot from 25 yards out by Erika Flowers resulted in yet another shot off the crossbar. Bucknell went on to add goals by Alexis Gannon and Carly Baggott, the first of the season for both players. Gannon sent one in off a rebound following a shot by Shelby Roberts to put the Bison up 4-0 in the 78th minute. Baggott finished the scoring, burying a shot from close range following a corner kick from Shannon Donlon. Both Roberts and Donlon registered their first assist of the season.
Jessica Ratner made two saves to record her fourth shutout of the season. Bucknell finished with advantages of 33-11 in shots, 17-2 in shots on goal and 10-1 in corner kicks.
Bucknell will look to carry its momentum into Sunday as it prepares for a tough match against an Ohio State team that is ranked 15th in the nation. The match is scheduled for noon in Columbus, Ohio.
