Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
2-6, 1-0PL
American
5-4, 0-1PL
Women's Lacrosse Tops American in PL Opener, 11-8
3/17/2019 5:26:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell women's lacrosse team scored six unanswered goals in the final 16 minutes of regulation to top American, 11-8, in the Patriot League opener for both teams on Sunday afternoon at Graham Field.
During that game-ending run, Morgan Steinhacker netted a hat trick, Tegan Warren logged a goal and an assist and Eve Calabria posted two helpers. After the Bison took advantage of a turnover to even the score at 8-8 with 10:19 on the clock, Steinhacker struck twice in 38 seconds with less than seven minutes left to play to put her team up for good.
Bucknell (2-6, 1-0 Patriot League) snapped American's (5-4, 0-1 Patriot League) four-game winning streak by rallying from its three-goal deficit. At halftime, the teams were locked in a 3-3 tie; Casey Harkins found Emma Vinall for three-straight goals within the second half's first five minutes to stake the Eagles a 6-3 advantage.
After Julia Bradbury pulled the Bison back within one with free-position tallies at the 24:59 and 22:47 marks, American responded with two goals to go back up by an 8-5 margin. The Eagles' tally at the second half's 18:36 mark proved to be their last, as the swarming Bucknell defense limited their quality looks the rest of the way.
Steinhacker's first goal of the contest kicked off the Bison's 6-0 run with 15:41 on the clock. Warren effectively iced the game with 1:25 remaining in regulation, taking a seeing-eye feed from Callie DeWitt in transition and firing a shot just under the crossbar.
Calabria led Bucknell with five points on two goals and three assists. Bucknell dominated in the draw circle, doubling up American by a 14-7 margin. Kali Peeples led the way with eight draw controls. Five Bison caused multiple turnovers, with Abby Neff registering three. DeWitt tied Steinhacker for the team lead with four ground balls.
American's Vinall (5g) and Harkins (1g-4a) had five-point outings. Both goalies had strong games, with Jamisen DeWitt (13 saves) outdueling Fiona Geier (12 saves).
Beyond its sizable advantage in draw controls, the Bison led in shots (32-28), shots on goal (23-21) and ground balls (24-18). At halftime, they were up 6-1 in draw controls. They have now topped American in five of their past six meetings.
Next up, Bucknell hosts UMBC in a makeup game on Thursday, March 21 at 4:30 p.m. Then, they travel to two-time defending Patriot League Tournament champion Navy for a 3 p.m. game on Saturday, March 23
