Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Albany
No. 5 Albany Tops Field Hockey 3-1
9/20/2015 5:22:00 PM | Field Hockey
ALBANY, N.Y. – Bucknell put a scare into another nationally-ranked opponent, falling 3-1 at No. 5 Albany in a non-conference field hockey game Sunday at Alumni Turf Field. The Bison dropped to 2-5 with their fourth loss to a team ranked in the top 20, while the Great Danes improved to 5-1.
Amy Mucelli pulled Bucknell within one, 2-1, with her first goal of the season in the 60th minute. The score was assisted by Stephanie Dressler following a penalty corner and ensured the Bison would record their 11th straight game with at least one goal. Dressler tallied her second assist of the season.
In the past three games, the Bison have shown their ability to play until the final whistle. They have scored four goals in the final 11 minutes of play during that stretch, including a game-winner by Emily Hitchings in the 65th minute against California and two goals in the final six minutes against No. 14 Delaware.
Mucelli's goal put the pressure on Albany, but the Great Danes responded the way you would expect from a team that advanced to the national semifinals a season ago. Anna Bottino put the game out of reach with her fourth goal of the season in the 67th minute. Fiori Van Rijswijk assisted on the goal.
Van Rijswijk also assisted on the first goal of the game as Paula Heuser gave Albany a 1-0 lead with her eighth goal of the season in the fifth minute. Liza Morgan put the Great Danes up 2-0 with a goal in the 25th minute.
Shannon Keen made five saves in a losing effort, giving her nine over the past two games, while Kayla Sullivan chipped in with a defensive save. The Bison have recorded defensive saves in back-to-back games after registering just one all of last season. Maxi Primus stopped one shot to pick up the win for Albany, which improved to 20-2 in its past 22 games dating back to last season.
The Bison hope the difficult non-conference slate to start the season pays off as they open Patriot League play at home against Lehigh on Saturday. The game is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Graham Field.
