Bucknell University
(7-7)
Kent State
(10-4)
Field Hockey Falls 2-1 vs. No. 24 Kent State on Sunday
10/17/2021 2:42:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Senior Erin Zielinski scored the first goal of her career during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game vs. No. 24 Kent State to cut into a 2-0 deficit, but the Golden Flashes held on to win 2-1 at Graham Field. It was the fifth ranked opponent the Bison had faced this season.
Bucknell led 10-4 in shots and 5-0 in penalty corners during the defensive battle, but Kent State managed to convert on two of the three shots they put on goal during the second quarter. Kent State goalkeeper Azure Fernsler finished the game with five saves. It was also Senior Day at Graham Field, and the Bison honored seven graduating seniors during pregame festivities.
The first quarter saw little action from either team as the Bison had the only two attempts at a goal. Bucknell put one shot on target just 48 seconds in that was saved, and then added another shot in the final minute that was blocked.
It was the Golden Flashes that put all three shots up in the second quarter, and two of them made it past the Bison keeper to make it a 2-0 game at the half. The first was scored in the 23rd minute of action following a scrum in front of the Bison cage. The second was scored with under a minute remaining in the first half when Kent State's Luisa Knapp poked the ball past the line off a rebound, putting the Bison behind 2-0 at the break.
The Bison came out with intensity over the final two quarters, outshooting Kent State 8-1 with four more corner opportunities.
After failing to cut into the lead during the third quarter, the Bison finally made their way onto the board with under 10 minutes to go in the fourth. Zielinski salvaged a penalty corner that went awry from the start, shooting from the top of the circle. The ball dribbled in past the goalkeeper and put Bucknell within one of tying. It was only the second shot of Zielinski's career.
Bucknell saw one more corner attempt and three more shots over the final nine minutes, but they were unable to find an equalizer.
Up next, Bucknell hosts Colgate at Graham Field on the evening of Friday, Oct. 22. It's Bucknell's second-to-last Patriot League contest and will help determine seeding for the upcoming Patriot League Tournament, as the Bison officially clinched a postseason spot following Saturday's win over Lehigh. Friday's game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Team Stats
KNAPP, Luisa (4)
Assisted By: CARR, Sydney
Short goal from right side after goalie
22:57
HAMMIT, Corynne (1)
Assisted By: KNAPP, Luisa
GOAL by KENTST HAMMIT, Corynne, Assist by KNAPP, Luisa, goal number 1 for season.
29:13
Zielinski, Erin (1)
Long shot after penalty corner
51:07
