Bucknell University
(6-4, 2-1PL)
American
(6-3, 2-0PL)
Comeback Falls Short as Field Hockey Drops 3-2 Decision at No. 25 American
10/2/2021 1:24:00 PM | Field Hockey
WASHIGTON, D.C. – The Bucknell field hockey team scored two second-half goals to cut into a 3-0 deficit against 25th-ranked American on Saturday, but the Eagles held on to hand the Bison their first Patriot League loss of the season.
American (6-3, 2-0 PL) scored its third goal in a row in the 42nd minute of action, but Bucknell (6-4, 2-1 PL) chipped into the lead less than four minutes later. The Bison scored again in the fourth quarter, however, with just 34 seconds left in the contest they were unable to finish out the comeback.
Junior Mackenzie Kile and senior Emily Doyle were the two goal-scorers for the Bison, and both finished with assists as well. The Eagles led 12-9 in shots, while the Bison held an 8-6 edge in penalty corners. Rookie Lily Neilson led the Bison in shots, and junior goalkeeper Clara McCormick made five saves.
The two teams played fairly even in the first quarter, posting two shots apiece. Bucknell saw both penalty corner opportunities but was unable to convert as the teams entered the second still scoreless.
The Eagles took control of momentum during the second quarter by attempting all six shots in the period and seeing all three corners. Less than three minutes into the frame, the Eagles took a 1-0 lead on their first corner of the game when fifth-year senior Noor Coenen assisted on a Gaby De Kock goal.
The Eagles struck again less than five minutes later on another corner, converting on a second-chance shot after McCormick made the initial save. Bucknell tried clearing the ball after the save, but American's Josie Formica was waiting to intercept it and scored unassisted to put the Bison behind 2-0 going into halftime.
Bucknell ramped up the pressure coming out of the break and outshot American 4-3 in the third, but it was the Eagles that scored first with 3:43 left in the quarter. Coenen shot through traffic and past the keeper to extend the deficit to 3-0. Bucknell responded in the 45th minute when a long pass into the circle was deflected in by Mackenzie Kile.
End of 3rd | Bucknell 1, American 3
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 2, 2021
American grabbed another goal in the third, but the Bison responded with one in the final minute of the quarter. Mackenzie Kile had the score. #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/OBlsE0SVMS
Bucknell remained aggressive in the final 15 minutes, posting three more shots on three more corners. The Bison scored on their third and final penalty corner as Neilson's initial shot was redirected by an American defender towards Kile, who got the ball to Doyle to finish off the shot with 34 seconds left in the game for her first score of the season. Time ran out before the Bison could find an equalizer.
Bucknell plays its fourth consecutive road game next Saturday at Penn State. The team then returns home to host Cornell at Graham Field on Sunday.
Team Stats
De Kock, Gaby (1)
Assisted By: Coenen, Noor
Pass from the top of the circle after a
17:48
Formica, Josie (2)
Off rebound
22:10
Hatton, Imogen
Assisted By: Coenen, Noor
Shot in from outside
41:17
Kile, Mackenzie (2)
Assisted By: Doyle, Emily
Off tip after shot from top of the circl
44:45
Doyle, Emily (1)
Assisted By: Kile, Mackenzie
Deflection after penalty corner
59:26
