Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lehigh
Field Hockey Rallies for 4-2 Win Over Lehigh in Patriot League Opener
9/26/2015 1:58:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell erased a 2-1 deficit with three second-half goals on its way to a 4-2 win over visiting Lehigh in a Patriot League field hockey game Saturday at Graham Field. Four players scored for the Bison as they improved to 3-5 overall and 1-0 in the conference.
Nicole Rupnik, Kelsy Kauffman, Anna Wills and Claire Lesher all scored goals for Bucknell in the win. The Bison have won seven straight league games dating back to last season and have won four straight in the series with Lehigh.
Bucknell's three second-half goals came in a span of 8:30. Kauffman tied the game with her first score of the season, finding the back of the cage following a scramble in front of the net. Wills notched the game-winner just over four minutes later with a goal off of a penalty corner. Emily Hitchings and Kayla Sullivan registered assists on the play.
Lesher, a freshman from nearby Lewisburg High School, tacked on an insure goal for the Bison in the 56th minute. She stole the ball from a Lehigh defender in front of the cage and buried a shot for her first career goal.
Lehigh held a 2-1 lead at the half, thanks to a pair of goals by Teresa Carotenuto. The first came in the seventh minute, but Bucknell responded with a goal by Rupnik just over five minutes later. Emma Fitzgerald delivered a pass across to the top of the circle to Rupnik, who fired from long range and beat the goalie for her second score of the season. Carotenuto's second goal came in the 20th minute.
Bucknell spent a significant amount of time in penalty corner formation. The Bison finished with 11, including a stretch of four in a span of less than three minutes, while Lehigh had four opportunities. The shots were nearly even in the first half, but the Bison had eight while not allowing any in the second half to finish with a 16-6 advantage for the game.
Shannon Keen made four saves to pick up the 16th win of her career, tying her with Bobbi Castens (1975-78) for 10th on Bucknell's all-time list. Julia Ward made seven saves for Lehigh.
Up next for the Bison is a tough non-conference opponent as they travel to play Lock Haven on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Bald Eagles are 8-2 on the season, including a 3-1 win over Colgate,
