Ham, Ratner Earn Patriot League Weekly Honors

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Following a strong defensive performance Sunday against three-time defending champion Boston University, Jackie Ham and Jessica Ratner each earned Patriot League weekly honors, announced by the conference on Monday. Ham was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Ratner was selected Goalkeeper of the Week.

Bucknell opened league play against the Terriers for the second consecutive season, coming away with a 2-0 victory in a rematch of last season's championship game. The win was the team's first-ever victory against Boston University and snapped a five-game losing streak in league openers.

Boston University, the preseason favorite, put pressure on the Bucknell defense, especially in the second half, with 11 shot attempts and five corner kick opportunities. The Bison back line was up to the challenge, keeping the sheet clean for the third-consecutive contest and the sixth time this season.

Holding a 1-0 lead, the Terriers nearly connected on an equalizer in the 72nd minute, but Ham was there in time to make a stop and kick the ball off the line to keep Boston University scoreless.

Ratner, the program's all-time shutouts leader, finished with seven saves in the contest. The senior made some tough stops in the win, including a flurry of shots in the 54th minute, while turning away a shot over the crossbar in the 62nd minute. Her toughest save of the day came in the 79th minute, making a diving grab off a header from Boston University's Christina Wakefield.

The Bison defense continues to be one of the stingiest defenses in the country. Bucknell ranks seventh in the nation in scoring defense (0.37), eighth in save percentage (0.90) and 19th in shutout percentage (0.63).

Maddie Mulford was an honorable mention, as the forward scored the go-ahead goal in the 20th minute of action. The Bison added another score in the final minute off the foot of Alexis Gannon.

Offensively, the Bison are sixth in the country in scoring offense (3), 10th in points per game (8.5) and 13th in total goals (24).

Bucknell is off to its best start in program history at 7-0-1, while continuing its dominance at Emmitt Field. The Bison are now 10-0-2 in their last 12 games at Holmes Stadium, allowing just three goals in the 12-game span.

The Bison continue league play Saturday (Sept. 24) against Holy Cross. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.