Bucknell University
(8-7, 3-2PL)
Lafayette
(10-6, 5-0PL)
Late Goal Not Enough to Top Lafayette as Field Hockey Falls, 2-1
10/26/2019 4:12:00 PM | Field Hockey
EASTON, Pa. - Brittany Willwerth scored with under eight minutes to go in the game to cut into a two-goal Lafayette lead, but the Leopards held on to a 2-1 victory in Easton, Pa. Saturday afternoon.
With the loss, the Bison go to 3-2 in the Patriot League and remain in third place. The Leopards stay undefeated with a 5-0 record and are tied for first.
A strong defensive effort by both teams offered few opportunities for goals, with all three coming on penalty corner attempts. Lafayette didn't see its first chance at a corner until six minutes remained in the first half, and the Leopards made the most of it with a goal scored by Lisa van der Geest to take a 1-0 lead.
The Leopards took advantage of another corner attempt less than six minutes out of halftime. This time it was sophomore Molly McAndrew scoring her ninth of the season. It was during the third and fourth quarters that goalkeeper Olivia Harris saw the most work, recording all six of her saves during the 30-minute span.
The Bison increased the pressure during the final 15 minutes of play. They allowed just one shot to the Leopards and attempted three of their five corner attempts in the final period. Trailing by two with less than 10 minutes to play, senior Brittany Willwerth scored on one of those corner attempts to cut the deficit in half. Willwerth was assisted by Allie Christopher on the play.
Here's the Bison goal that cut the Lafayette lead in half. pic.twitter.com/iz4rttBO2T
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 26, 2019
With less than seven minutes remaining, the Bison ran out of clock before finding the game-tying goal. Lafayette' goalkeeper Sarah Park was credited with her 10th win of the season.
Six different Bison accounted for the nine Bucknell shots, while Kaelyn Long, Leah Fogelsanger, and Willwerth each put two on target. Willwerth's fourth quarter goal was her fifth of the season, and Christopher now has three assists on the year.
Up next, Bucknell will host Penn State at Graham Field on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. The Bison then host Holy Cross for the final game of the regular season on Nov. 2.
Team Stats
van der Geest, Lisa (6)
Assisted By: Costello, Cameron , Steps, Anna
corner
24:16
McAndrew, Molly (9)
corner
35:51
Willwerth, Brittany
Assisted By: Christopher, Allie
corner
52:56
