Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Syracuse
Rupnik Scores Twice as Field Hockey Puts Scare in #4 Syracuse in 4-3 Loss
10/2/2016 5:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell led defending national champion Syracuse 2-1 at the half, but the fourth-ranked Orange staved off the upset with a 4-3 win in non-conference field hockey action Sunday at Graham Field.
Nicole Rupnik scored each of the first two goals for the Bison. The sophomore leads the team with five goals this season and has 12 goals and 26 points through the first 29 games of her career.
Rupnik's first goal gave Bucknell a 1-0 lead just 3:54 into the game. From the penalty corner formation, Dressler delivered a perfect pass to Rupnik, who easily beat the goalie to give the Bison an early advantage against the ACC powerhouse.
Bucknell held the one-goal lead for most of the half until Syracuse tied it on a goal by Serra Degnan 48 seconds left on the clock. The Bison needed just 17 seconds to regain the lead on Rupnik's second goal. Freshman Brittany Willwerth took the ball into the circle, forcing to the Orange goalie to come away from the cage to stop her shot. The ball caromed to the left, where Rupnik was there to put it home.
Syracuse scored the first three goals of the second half, including two by its leading scorer Lies Lagerweij. The goals were her 10th and 11th of the season. Emma Lamison had the game-tying scoring 3:35 into the half.
The Bison scored off a corner with 24 seconds left in regulation. Stephanie Dressler had the goal, her third of the season, while Estelle Palandjian and Amy Mucelli were credited with assists.
Following the goal, Bucknell did manage to get possession and get the ball into Syracuse territory, but ran out of time before it had a chance to get off a shot.
Junior Emily Finn 11 saves in a losing effort, including two diving stops in the second half. Regan Spencer stopped two shots for Syracuse.
Syracuse improved to 10-1 on the season. The Orange's lone loss came to No. 5 North Carolina. The Orange have recorded wins over six nationally-ranked opponents, including No. 7 Louisville on Friday.
Bucknell continues to be a tough place to play for the visiting team. The Bison are 23-13 at home over the past five seasons, with many of those losses coming to nationally-ranked opponents. They hold a win over then-No. 12 Albany at home earlier this season.
The Bison will play their next two games at Graham Field, including a key Patriot League matchup against preseason favorite Boston University on Saturday at 11 a.m. They will host Yale for a non-conference game on Sunday at 2 p.m.
