Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Monmouth
Field Hockey Puts on Pressure, But Falls 2-0 at Monmouth
9/25/2016 3:46:00 PM | Field Hockey
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Bucknell had more shots on goal than Monmouth and finished with a significant advantage in corners, but two second-half goals in a span of 40 seconds made the difference in a 2-0 Hawks' win in non-conference field hockey action Sunday at “So Sweet a Cat” Field.
The teams played even for the first 50:08 before Monmouth's Josephine van der Hoop scored the game-winner with her third goal of the season. Kelly Hanna assisted on the play. Just 40 seconds later, Elyssa Okken scored her first goal of the season off an assist from van der Hoop to put the Hawks up 2-0.
Bucknell held a slight edge in shots on goal, 9-7, and racked up corner opportunities with 14 compared to Monmouth's six. The Hawks' tough corner defense proved pivotal, while goalkeeper Christen Piersanti did her part with eight saves and a shutout.
Brittany Willwerth had three shots on goal for the Bison, while Kelsy Kauffman, Stephanie Dressler, Katie Mannino, Estelle Palandjian, Anna Wills, and Mackenzie Haney added one apiece.
Emily Finn made five saves for Bucknell, which dropped to 4-4 on the season.
The loss came to a solid Monmouth team. The Hawks are 8-2 on the year. One of the losses came to nationally-ranked Iowa.
The Bison have a huge weekend of play up next. They will host American, one of the favorites to win the Patriot League this season, on Saturday at noon, and will welcome Syracuse, the defending national champion and current top-ranked team in the nation, to Graham Field on Sunday at noon.
