Marek, Dano Help Bison Rally for 2-1 Win at American

Saturday, September 22

Washington, D.C.

2 p.m.

Bucknell University

3-6-1, 1-1-0PL

American

5-2-3, 0-1-1PL

Bucknell

American

Photo by: Marc Hagemeier

Marek, Dano Help Bison Rally for 2-1 Win at American

9/22/2018 6:42:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jenna Marek's team-leading third goal of the season, followed six minutes later by Maddie Dano's Olimpico, helped the Bucknell women's soccer team storm back from an early deficit and defeat American 2-1 in Patriot League action Saturday afternoon at Reeves Field.

The conference road victory was a big one for the Bison, who leveled their Patriot League mark at 1-1 while improving to 3-6-1 overall. American was unbeaten at home (4-0-1) and had the best overall record in the league coming in, but the Eagles fell to 5-2-3 overall and 0-1-1 in Patriot League play.

Bucknell had won the last four meetings with American by a combined 13-1 margin, but that streak appeared to be in jeopardy as the much-improved Eagles opened the scoring just 1:50 into the match. Yari Bradfield ran onto a long ball up the right side, stopped at the edge of the box and scored with a high left-footed shot for her league-leading seventh goal of the campaign.

But the Bison immediately fired back. Kate Henesey replied with a pair of shots that required saves from Ryleigh Brown over the next four minutes. After Theresa Adu-Attobrah made three stops at the other end, Henesey fed Marek for the equalizer in the 20^th minute. Henesey picked up the ball in the middle of the field and drove it forward before slipping a pass through to Marek, who finished at the near post.

American nearly went back in front moments later, but Tia Zajec saved a ball off the line during a corner kick scrum. And then moments after that, the Bison had the lead when Dano's inswinging corner kick went directly into the goal. It was Dano's fourth career tally.

The Eagles put Bucknell under pressure the rest of the way, but the Bison held strong. Riley Coopersmith and Ali Russo saved shots off the goal line in the second half, and Theresa Adu-Attobrah came up with a handful of tough saves, including a pair of reaction saves from close range and another tricky stop where she tipped a shot from distance over the bar.

Bucknell had a great scoring opportunity in the opening minutes of the second half when Zajec took a shot that was bobbled by Brown, but then Brown recovered and made a great save on Henesey's follow-up.

American finished with a 14-10 shot advantage, while the Bison led 7-4 in corner kicks. Adu-Attobrah and Brown were both credited with eight saves.

"I'm really proud of the group for finding a way to win the game today," said head coach Kelly Cook. "We had some great individual performances, but overall the team effort was fantastic. It was unfortunate to give up a goal so early in the same, but I was happy with the response. We have struggled to finish games this season, but we held strong under pressure from a good American team."

The Bison have a busy week ahead, with a pair of home games against Loyola on Wednesday night and Holy Cross on Saturday at 1 p.m.