Bucknell University Athletics
No. 3 Seed Bucknell Field Hockey to Face No. 2 Seed Lafayette in Patriot League Semifinal Game Friday
11/6/2019 1:23:00 AM | Field Hockey
GAME NOTES
Setting the Scene
What: 2019 Patriot League Semifinal Game
Who:Â No. 3 Bucknell (9-8, 4-2 PL) vs. No. 2 Lafayette (11-7, 5-1 PL)
When:Â Friday, Nov. 8 at 2:30 p.m.
Where:Â William I Jacobs Recreational Complex, Washington, D.C.
Watch Live: Patriot League Network
Live Stats: AUEagles.com
About the Bison
• Bucknell is set to compete in the Patriot League tournament for a 12th time in as many years. The Bison have made the Patriot League tournament every year since head coach Jeremy Cook took over in 2008.
• Bucknell will face the No. 2 seed Lafayette in the semifinal round on Friday. Bucknell fell 2-1 to the Leopards back on Oct. 26. The Bison made their way onto the board with a Brittany Willwerth goal in the fourth quarter after falling behind 2-0 in that game.
• Five Bison – Olivia Harris, Leah Fogelsanger, Allie Christopher, Brittany Willwerth, and Kaelyn Long – were named to All-Patriot League teams. Harris was also named the Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year.
• Harris is the second Bison to win Goalkeeper of the Year in program history. She's 10th all-time in the Bucknell record books with 19 career wins in the cage and is third in winning percentage. Harris also ranks 13th in the nation in save percentage.
• Willwerth becomes the 17th player in the history of the Patriot League to earn all-league honors four times. Willwerth ranks eighth all-time with 69 career points.
• Fogelsanger is tied for first on the team with seven goals this season. Six of her goals have come during the past seven matches, including two against Holy Cross last weekend.
• Christopher has the only hat trick for the Bison this season, which she collected in an 8-2 win over Lehigh. She also leads the Bison in shots on goal percentage.
• Long has played major roles both offensively and defensively this season. Long has 12 points this season, half of which she recorded in a win over Colgate.
• Bucknell's last Patriot League tournament win was during the 2017 season, a 2-1 win over American that came down to a shootout. Chloe Poltonavage, M.C. Evans, and Long each converted during the shootout to win it. Bucknell was a No. 3 seed that season as well.
About Lafayette/Series History
• The Leopards enter the Patriot League tournament at 5-1 in Patriot League play, suffering their only loss to top-seeded American. Lafayette has now earned back-to-back trips to the postseason for the first time since the 2012 and 2013 campaigns.
• Lafayette head coach Jennifer Stone was named the Patriot League's Coach of the Year on Tuesday. Stone is in her seventh season with the Leopards and has led them to nine league victories over the past two.
• Lafayette sent five players to All-League teams, including Defensive Player of the Year Lisa van der Geest. van der Geest captained a defense that posted seven shutouts this season. The senior also scored seven goals and seven assists this year.
• On offense, the Leopards rely on sophomore Patriot League First Teamer Molly McAndrew. McAndrew was the 2018 Rookie of the Year, has followed that up with 20 points in her second season.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Park was placed on the All-Patriot League Second Team. Park led the league with seven shutouts and has maintained a 1.31 goals against average. She recorded six saves against nine shots faced when pitted against the Bison earlier in the season.
• The Leopards lead the all-time series 37-15-2 against Bucknell. The two teams have alternated wins each of the last six times they've faced one another. Bucknell defeated Lafayette 4-1 in Lewisburg during the 2018 season.
Up Next
With a win over Lafayette, Bucknell will advance to the Patriot League title game for a fifth time under Cook and the eighth time in program history. Bucknell would face the winner of top-seeded American and fourth-seeded Holy Cross. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 10 at noon.
