Women?s Soccer Opens Patriot League Play At Boston University

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell women's soccer team has run out to a 4-3-1 start to the season, with several highlights in the early weeks, but the records get wiped clean with the start of Patriot League play this weekend. The Bison open up on the road at two-time defending champion Boston University on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Nickerson Field.

Bucknell has won three of its last four contests, picking up wins over Mount St. Mary's (2-0), Saint Francis (3-0) and Iona (5-0). Kendall Ham has led the charge for the Bison, matching last season's total of five goals in just her last four games, highlighted by the team's first hat trick since 2012.

Ham's team-leading five goals for 10 points are good for second-most in the Patriot League this season. The Bison have taken a high number of shots, pacing the conference with 16.6 shots per contest. In the last four games, Bucknell has outshot its opponents 101-42, including a 44-16 advantage in shots on goal.

The Bison has been stout defensively, posting a Patriot League best four shutouts. Bucknell has given up 0.88 goals per game, which is second in the league. Jessica Ratner has a save percentage of .833, the best in the conference. Ratner and senior co-captain Lauren Dandie have earned Patriot League honors for their contributions on the defensive end.

The Terriers come into Sunday's contest with a 2-4-2 mark and riding a two-game winning streak following victories over Hofstra and Providence. Clare Pleuler scored the game-winning goal in the 97^th minute to give the team a 2-1 victory over the Pride. Boston University scored two more goals yesterday to defeat the Friars, 2-1.

McKenna Doyle is the team's top point-getter, recording two goals and one assist for five points. Jenna Fisher and Pleuler have each posted one goal and an assist for three points. Alyssa Parisi has made 33 saves in net, which is fourth in the Patriot League.

Boston University was tabbed as the preseason favorite to win its third straight Patriot League championship since joining the league in 2013. Fisher and McKenzie Hollenbaugh were named to the Preseason All-Patriot League team, while Hollenbaugh was also tabbed Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Sunday's contest marks just the third meeting in the all-time series. The Terriers have won each of the first two matchups, including a 2-1 decision in the last meeting a season ago. Meghan Holtz scored the lone goal for the Bison in the game.

Following Sunday's contest, the Bison will have a quick turnaround, wrapping up non-conference play with a trip to Duquesne on Tuesday. The Dukes come into Tuesday's matchup following a contest at Oakland on Sunday. Duquesne stands at 4-3 overall, but has dropped its last two matches. Katie O'Connor paces the team with four goals and three assists for 11 points.

The Bison restart conference play on Sept. 26, when the team returns to Emmitt Field for a matchup against Holy Cross.