Women's Soccer Visits Syracuse, Hosts Rider This Week

Setting the Scene
Thursday, Sept. 1 – 4:00 p.m.
What: Bucknell (3-0-0) at Syracuse (3-0-1)
Where: SU Soccer Stadium, Syracuse, N.Y.
Webcast: WatchESPN
Live Statistics: Cuse.com
Sunday, Sept. 4 – 3:00 p.m.
What: Bucknell vs. Rider (2-1-0)
Where: Emmitt Field, Lewisburg, Pa.
Webcast: Patriot League Network
Live Statistics: BucknellBison.com

About the Bison
>> The Bison come into Thursday 3-0, the team's best start since 2003.
>> Bucknell is coming off a 2-0 victory at Wright St. Sunday, with goals coming from Maddie Mulford and Bailey Hurst. Kelsey Witt and Karli Cirovski were each credited with an assist in the contest.
>> With the shutout Sunday, Jessica Ratner became the program's all-time leader in shutouts (16), passing Kathryn Sutton '09 (15). Since becoming a full-time starter in 2015, Ratner has posted 13 shutouts in 23 contests.
>> The Bison were scheduled for a contest at Dayton last Friday, but the game was cancelled due to lightning.
>> Cirovski, Mulford and Maddie Dano have each recorded a goal and an assist through three games this season.
>> Bucknell really gets it going in the second half of games, outscoring opponents 5-0 and holding a 16-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Scouting Syracuse
>> Thursday's contest will wrap up a four-game home stand.
>> The Orange has won three in a row and currently stands at 3-0-1.
>> Syracuse is 1-0-1 against Patriot League opponents this season, defeating Army 2-0 and playing to a 1-1 tie at Colgate.
>> Five players have recorded a goal for the Orange, including Alanna O'Neill, who has recorded a team-high two goals thus far.

Scouting Rider
>> Rider comes into Sunday following a home contest against Temple on Thursday.
>> The Broncs are 2-1 overall, winning their last two games against Fairleigh Dickinson and Wagner.
>> Ellie Smith, the reigning MAAC Offensive Player of the Week, has scored four of the team's eight goals on the year, while Kourtney Cunningham has posted a team-best two assists.
>> Rider returns Preseason All-MAAC selections Hollie Kelsh, Meghan McCabe and Bethany-May Howard.

Series History
>> Bucknell's contest at Syracuse will mark the first meeting between the two programs.
>> The Bison are 1-1 all-time against the Broncs dating back to 2013. The two teams last met in 2014 at Rider, with the Broncs coming away with a 1-0 overtime victory.

Up Next
>> Bucknell returns to action Sept. 9 with a contest against Mount St. Mary's. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and will broadcast on the Patriot League Network.