Bucknell University
Manhattan
Women's Lacrosse Keeps Offense Rolling in 19-11 Win at Manhattan
3/5/2016 4:13:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
RIVERDALE, N.Y. -- Behind eight-point performances from Christina Manis and Eve Lukowski along with a five-goal afternoon from Maddy Molinari, the Bucknell women's lacrosse team continued its 2016 offensive surge in a 19-11 victory at Manhattan on Saturday at Gaelic Park. The Bison are now 3-1 for their best start since 2009, and their 63 goals are the most through four games in team history.
Bucknell scored its 19 goals on just 31 shots. Manis set a career high with her eight points, coming on four goals and four assists. Lukowski had her second eight-point game of the year with three goals and five assists, matching her output from the Delaware State game in the season opener. Molinari scored a career-high five goals and also added an assist for a six-point day, and Gretchen Richter also had a huge game with three goals, an assist, and six draw controls.
Ally Furbay and Emily Becker both had multi-point performance with a goal and an assist each, and Sam Rickels and Callie DeWitt also hit the back of the net to help the Bison avenge a home loss to the Jaspers a year ago.
Claire Roediger led Manhattan (2-3) with three goals and two assists, and Megan Yarusso chipped in two goals and two assists.
Bucknell got out to a great start, leading 5-1 after just 3:32 of action thanks to two quick goals by Richter in the opening minute followed by three straight from Molinari in a span of just 1:24.
The Bison never relinquished the lead, however Manhattan pulled within one on a couple of occasions before Bucknell pulled away again with a flurry in the final 10 minutes of the first half.
With the lead trimmed to 7-6, Manis scored twice in succession just 41 seconds apart. Sarah Lang answered for Manhattan, but then Rickels, Manis and Richter all scored in succession, the last coming with 13 seconds remaining, to make it a 12-7 game at the half.
Manhattan netted the first goal of the second half before Lukowski fed Furbay to ignite a 4-0 Bison run that stretched the lead to a commanding eight goals at 16-8. The margin grew to as many as nine at 19-10 on Lukowski's unassisted goal with 4:47 to play.
Bucknell outshot Manhattan 31-24 and finished with a decisive 20-11 advantage in draw controls. Rickels and Katherine Doyle both had three draw controls each in addition to Richter's game-high six. Rickels led the squad with three ground balls.
In goal, Jamie DeWitt finished with five saves for the Bison, while her counterpart Liz Pierson had three for the Jaspers.
The Bison entered the game leading the nation in assists per game while ranking ninth in goals per game. They kept pace in both categories, with 13 assists on their 19 goals. Bucknell is now averaging 15.8 goals per game on the season.
The Bison will be back in action on Wednesday against Monmouth at 4 p.m. at Graham Field.
