Women’s Soccer Clinches Patriot League Tournament Berth with 1-0 Win at Lehigh

Wednesday, October 17

Bethlehem, Pa.

7 p.m.

Bucknell University

7-8-1, 5-2-0PL

Lehigh

5-10-0, 2-5-0PL

Bucknell

Lehigh

Photo by: Marc Hagemeier

Women’s Soccer Clinches Patriot League Tournament Berth with 1-0 Win at Lehigh

10/17/2018 10:07:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Marek's goal in opening minute of second half the difference

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Jenna Marek scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season in the opening minute of the second half, and the Bucknell defense took over from there in a key 1-0 win at Lehigh on Wednesday night at the Ulrich Sports Complex. The victory moved the Bison to 5-2 in Patriot League play, and Bucknell has not only clinched a postseason berth for the sixth year in a row, but it will be seeded no lower than fourth in the Patriot League Tournament.

This figured to be a low-scoring matchup between two of the Patriot League's top defensive sides, and after 90 minutes it was Bucknell (7-8-1) collecting its fifth shutout of the season and third in conference play.

"It was a very good overall performance," said head coach Kelly Cook afterward. "We talked before the game about controlling our own destiny with a win, which is an exciting feeling to have. We had a feeling coming in that it was going to be a one-goal game, and as you get deeper into the season getting three points is critical. Defensively, it was a really solid effort. Lehigh is a strong team and they had some opportunities, but we were able to deny them."

Lehigh (5-10-0, 2-5-0) did pile up 17 shots in the game, but most were sprayed wide of goal from distance. Theresa Adu-Attobrah was needed for four saves, as she evened up her season record at 7-7-1.

The Mountain Hawks had a dangerous look at goal in the first half, but Kayla Arestivo's first-touch redirect from the center of the area just skipped wide of the right post. Lehigh outshot Bucknell 10-2 in the first half, although the Bison had a decent amount of possession in the attacking third. Then they pounced on an opportunity just after the resumption of play.

Carly Baggott's long ball forward from just inside the midfield stripe was flicked on to Marek by Bri Kropinack. Marek went 1v1 with a defender along the left side of the box, stopped on a dime, and bent a high shot over the outstretched fingertips of goalkeeper Sam Miller.

It was Marek's fifth career goal and fourth this season, all coming in Bucknell victories.

"I was really happy with the way we came out of the locker room with great energy," said Cook. "That was a huge goal from Jenna after some great work from Bri and Carly to set it up. We have been working on getting off to strong starts at the beginning of each half, and tonight we were able to take over the momentum of the game."

The Bison had a couple of good chances at an insurance marker. In the 62nd minute a Bucknell corner kick pinballed around in the area, but Baggott's rising shot just went over. Inside four minutes remaining in regulation, Miller did well to come off her line and deny Marek on a breakaway after some nifty hold-up work in the middle of the field by Kate Henesey.

The Bison had a few tricky situations to defend as Lehigh pressed for an equalizer. In the 82nd minute, the Mountain Hawks were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area along the end line. But the Bison defended it well, with Henesey smothering a service after Maddie Dano cleared the initial free kick.

Bucknell successfully defended two corner kicks in the final five minutes, and Dano provided one final shot block in the closing seconds as Lehigh tried to put a desperation attempt on goal.

Lehigh finished with a 17-11 edge in shots, while both teams attempted five corner kicks.

With just two match days remaining in the regular season, Colgate grabbed sole possession of the Patriot League lead on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Holy Cross. The Raiders now have 19 points with a 6-0-1 league record. Boston University entered the night tied with Colgate atop the table, but the Terriers (5-0-2, 17 points) settled for a 1-1 draw with Army despite a 27-2 shot advantage. That allowed Navy (6-1-0, 18 points) to jump into second place after the Mids blanked Lafayette 1-0. Bucknell is now solo fourth on 15 points, with fifth-place Army (2-3-2, 8 points) seven points behind the Bison.

Bucknell can finish no lower than fourth place, which means the Bison are at least assured of hosting a Patriot League Tournament quarterfinal game on Oct. 30. With two games remaining on the regular-season docket – at Boston University this Saturday and home against Navy on Oct. 26 – Bucknell will now try to move into a top-two seed, which would mean a bye into the semifinal round. The No. 1 seed hosts the semifinals and championship game.