Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Albany
Field Hockey Knocks Off No. 12 Albany 3-2 in Overtime
9/11/2016 4:55:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Freshman Brittany Willwerth scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, as the Bucknell field hockey team upset No. 12 Albany 3-2 on Sunday at Graham Field. The Bison improved to 2-2 overall, including a perfect 2-0 mark at home.
“Albany is an incredible team,” said Bucknell head coach Jeremy Cook. “I was really proud of the progress we made today as far as our fight and our determination.
Bucknell trailed 2-1 late in the game, but was really able to put the pressure on and get numerous scoring chances in the final 10 minutes. It culminated with sophomore Nicole Rupnik's game-tying goal with five minutes to play. She took the rebound off a penalty corner shot and found the right side of the cage for her first score of the season.
The Bison needed a defensive stand to send the game into overtime, and it came with no time left on the clock. Albany received a penalty corner in the closing seconds of regulation, but junior goalie Emily Finn came through with the clutch save.
Willwerth's game-winner came 2:27 into the overtime period. Bucknell got the goalie out of position, but had a shot attempt stopped with a nice defensive save by Albany's Paula Heuser. But, Willwerth didn't give up on the play, burying the close shot after a rebound for her team-leading fourth goal of the season. She was initially the one who took it into the circle, but the ball was poked away. Both senior Amy Mucelli and freshman Marisa Morakis were there to help keep the play alive.
It was Willwerth who helped Bucknell jump out to a quick lead early in the game, as well. That score was also unassisted as the freshman dribbled into the circle, beat a defender and delivered an excellent left-handed shot from long range past the Albany goalie.
The Bison would hold that 1-0 lead until Heuser scored the equalizer with 1:22 remaining in the first half. Her blast from the top of the corner snuck in at the top of the cage, but was determined to have hit off a Bucknell stick and was therefore a legal shot and goal. Albany would go on to take a 2-1 lead on a goal by Dana Bozek in the 46th minute.
Both of Albany's goals were scored off of penalty corners, but overall Bucknell's corner defense was stellar. The Great Danes finished with 14 penalty corner chances.
Finn improved to 2-2 in goal on the season. She stopped seven shots, including four in the second half and one in the overtime period.
Bucknell's ability to put on pressure late in the game may have been a result of its conditioning and tendency to keep its players well rested with a multitude of substitutions. The Bison made 36 substitutions in regulation, compared to just 10 for Albany.
The Bison have now beaten a nationally-ranked team in two of the past three seasons. The previous victory came against No. 14 Princeton in 2014.
Things won't get any easier for Bucknell as it prepares for its third straight nationally-ranked opponent. The Bison will travel to play No. 5 Penn State this Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Nittany Lions are a perfect 5-0.
