Bucknell University Athletics
Women?s Soccer Visits Holy Cross on Saturday
9/22/2016 9:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Setting the Scene
Who: Bucknell (7-0-1, 1-0-0 PL) at Holy Cross (1-7-0, 0-1-0 PL)
When: September 24, 2016 – 5 p.m.
Where: Smith Soccer Stadium, Worcester, Mass.
Live Stats: GoHolyCross.com
About the Bison
>> Bucknell will look to build upon its best start in program history against the Crusaders.
>> The Bison opened league play Sunday with a 2-0 victory over three-time defending champion Boston University.
>> Maddie Mulford and Alexis Gannon each found the back of the net in the team's first-ever win over the Terriers.
>> Jessica Ratner recorded seven saves in the title game rematch from last season en route to being named Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week.
>> Jackie Ham was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week after making a key stop in the 72nd minute to keep the sheet clean for the third-straight contest and the sixth time this season. The defense hasn't allowed a goal in the last 365:04.
>> Kendall Ham leads the team and the Patriot League in points (17) and goals (8). Ham ranks third in the country in goals per game, seventh in total goals and 16th in points per game.
>> Mulford is the team's second leading scorer with nine points on three goals and three assists. It's been a balanced attacked for head coach Kelly Cook, as the Bison have a total of seven players with at least two goals on the year.
>> Offensively, Bucknell leads the Patriot League in scoring offense, points per game, assists per game, total goals and total points. Nationally, the Bison rank sixth in scoring offense, 10th in points per game, 13th in total goals and 15th in total points.
>> The Bison are outscoring opponents 24-3, including a 17-1 margin in the second half.
>> Ratner has started all eight games for Bucknell, tallying 23 saves and a .885 save percentage, which ranks second in the conference and seventh in the country.
>> The Bison rank third in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic region.
Scouting the Crusaders
>> Holy Cross enters Saturday's contest on a seven-game losing streak.
>> The Crusaders' lone win of the year was in their season opener against Iona.
>> The team opened league play Saturday with a 1-0 loss to Lehigh.
>> Andj Seslija leads the team in scoring with three goals for six points. Four other players have recorded a goal for Holy Cross, including Kara Shaw, who has found the back of the net twice this year.
>> The Crusaders have had three goalkeepers start in at least two games this season. Caroline Cashion has started in four contests, posting 23 saves and a .767 save percentage.
>> Holy Cross was picked 10th in the Preseason Poll. The Crusaders went 2-4-3 in Patriot League play last season, totaling just three goals in conference play.
Series History
>> Bucknell is 19-5-2 all-time against the Crusaders and have won the last 11 meetings.
>> The Bison defeated Holy Cross by a 2-0 margin last season in Lewisburg. Kendall Ham and identical twin Jackie each scored goals in the contest, while Ratner made three saves.
Milestone Watch
>> Jessica Ratner is the program's all-time shutouts leader (19), but continues to move her up the all-time list in goalkeeper wins. Ratner currently has 22 victories, which ranks fifth all-time. She is seven behind Kathryn Sutton '09 for fourth.
>> Kendall Ham is ninth in goals (22) and 10th in points (49) on Bucknell's all-time lists. She is four goals behind Katie McElligott '00 for eighth-place and five points behind Leigh Raymont '97 for ninth.
>> Bucknell is unbeaten in eight straight contests. Saturday's game would tie the longest unbeaten streak in program history, which they set last season.
Up Next
>> The Bison are back in action Wednesday (Sept. 28) with a matchup against Lafayette at Emmitt Field. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and will broadcast on the Patriot League Network.
