Women's Lax Looks to Build on Strong Opener Saturday at Mount St. Mary's

2/19/2016 10:40:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse

By: TBD

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The Bucknell women's lacrosse team overwhelmed Delaware State 25-1 on Wednesday in the season opener at Graham Field, and now the Bison head out on the road for the first time on Saturday to face Mount Saint Mary's at 3 p.m. at Waldron Stadium.

Bucknell completely dominated the Hornets in Wednesday's opener, setting a new single-game team scoring record. The Bison scored 15 seconds into the game and seemingly never stopped. They hit the net on 12 of 32 first-half shots, and then dialed in the accuracy in the second half with 13 goals on 15 shots. Bucknell outshot Delaware State 47-3, won 20 of 26 draws, and forced 27 turnovers.

Sophomore Eve Lukowski had a career night with eight points. She dished out five assists and also scored three times herself. Maddy Molinari, Gretchen Richter and Ally Furbay all finished with four goals, while Emily Becker, Christina Manis and freshman Callie DeWitt had two each. Another freshman, Audrey Walsh, had a goal and three assists in her debut.

Defensively, it was an all-around team effort for the Bison against Delaware State. The ride was strong, as the Hornets were just 9-for-18 on clears. Fourteen different Bison were credited with a caused turnover, while Becker and Annie Gilbertson led the team with three ground balls each.

Freshman goalie Jamie DeWitt was rarely tested in her first collegiate game. She saw two shots on target and saved them both before departing after 43 minutes. Delaware State spoiled the shutout bid with a goal with 5:38 left in the game.

The competition stiffens this weekend, as the Bison go on the road to face a Mount St. Mary's squad that was picked third in the preseason Northeast Conference poll, behind Bryant and Wagner.

The Mountaineers, who will be making their 2016 debut against Bucknell on Saturday, finished 6-11 overall and 5-2 in the NEC last season. The Mount returns five of its top six scorers from a season ago, including 2015 NEC Rookie of the Year Nicole Lantuh, who led the team with 41 points on 27 goals and a team-high 14 assists.

Also returning for the Mountaineers is First Team All-NEC goalie Steph Rurkowski, who posted led the conference and ranked 11th nationally in saves per game (8.94).

Bucknell has won all five previous meetings with Mount St. Mary's, with two of those coming in Emmittsburg. The last meeting came in 2011, when the Bison prevailed 12-11 behind a six-goal performance from Julia Braun. Bucknell also won 22-4 in 1988, 20-3 in 1989, 10-4 in 2002 and 8-7 in 2003.

Following the Mount St. Mary's game, the Bison will return home to face Villanova on Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. That game will be streamed on the Patriot League Network.