Saturday, April 24
Boston, Mass.
2:30 p.m.
Bucknell University
vs
Boston U. (PL Championship)
Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
Bucknell Field Hockey Plays Boston U. for Patriot League Championship Title on Saturday
4/23/2021 1:54:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell field hockey team returns to the Patriot League Championship game on Saturday for the first time in three seasons and for an eighth time in program history. The Bison pulled out yet another dramatic victory on Thursday, winning 2-1 in a shootout against second-seeded American in the semifinals. The win was reminiscent of the 2017 semifinal round that saw the Bison win against the same opponent, by the same score, and in the same city. Like in 2017, Bucknell advances to face top-seeded Boston U. in an effort to capture the program's first Patriot League title.
Bucknell, which lost its first three games of the 2021 spring season by a combined score of 10-1, has put together a remarkable turnaround and has now won four straight games. With another win on Saturday, Bucknell will advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time.
Setting the Scene: Patriot League Championship
Who: No. 3 Bucknell (4-3) at No. 1 Boston U. (5-0)
When: Saturday, April 24 at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Boston, Mass. – New Balance Field
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: GoTerriers.com
Spectator Policy: GoTerriers.com
Game Notes
About the Bison
• Third-seeded Bucknell is set to face top-seeded Boston U. in the Patriot League Championship game on Saturday. It's Bucknell's eighth trip to the title game and the team's fifth appearance under head coach Jeremy Cook.
• Bucknell advanced after a 2-1 shootout win over No. 2 American in the semifinals. Both teams went scoreless over the first 54:52 of game time before Bucknell broke the scoring open with a Megan Keeney goal. American responded quickly, tying the game less than three minutes later and with 2:26 left to play in regulation. Bucknell dominated in the two overtime periods, outshooting the Eagles 9-1, but the game went to a shootout. American made its first penalty stroke attempt but missed on the next four. Keeney and Rachel Apa both converted, and the Bison came away with the win.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Clara McCormick was outstanding throughout Thursday evening. She registered eight saves while allowing one goal and stuffed the Eagles during the shootout. McCormick was a two-time Goalkeeper of the Week selection this season.
• Apa, who entered the tournament leading the Bison in points, added an assist on Keeney's goal in regulation. It was the rookie's second assist of the season, and she now has six total points.
• While not scoring, senior Kaelyn Long was Bucknell's main aggressor on Thursday. She rattled off a team-high seven shots with four on goal. Kari Melberger also supplied a pair of shots.
• After trailing 8-5 in penalty corners during the first four quarters, Bucknell ramped up the pressure and was awarded seven corners compared to none for the Eagles in the two overtimes.
• The win was Bucknell's second of the season against the Eagles.
• The Bison rookies have accounted for 11 of Bucknell's 24 points this spring. They've provided four of Bucknell's eight goals and three of the team's eight assists.
• Bucknell had four players - Kaelyn Long (First Team), Erin Zielinski (First Team), Sarah Dimock (Second Team) and Leah Fogelsanger (Second Team) - make All-Patriot League teams this season. Long, Dimock and Fogelsanger make their second appearances on the postseason awards list, while Zielinski earns her spot for the first time. The Bison have had four or more players make an All-League team every year since 2016. Bucknell also tied with Boston U. for the most players honored this season.
• Long and McCormick were both named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team on Thursday. Long made the list for the second time in her career, and McCormick received the honor in her first season of eligibility.
Bison in the Patriot League Tournament
• Bucknell has qualified for the tournament 13 years in a row since head coach Jeremy Cook's arrival in 2008.
• Bucknell now has 23 total appearances in the tournament and is 8-22 all-time.
• Bucknell has now advanced to the championship game eight times but has never won the title.
• Bucknell has faced Boston U. five times in the Patriot League Tournament and has never won. Two of those losses came in the title game.
• Bucknell earned the No. 3 seed last season and fell 1-0 to No. 2 Lafayette in the semis in Washington, D.C.
Head Coach Jeremy Cook
• Jeremy Cook is in his 13th season at Bucknell and owns a 118-115 career record, including a 45-28 record in Patriot League play. Cook is 11 wins shy of becoming the program's all-time winningest head coach.
• Cook and the Bison put together a 6-0 league record in 2014 and finished 13-6 overall with a loss to Boston U. in the title game.
• The Bison have now reached the Patriot League title game five times under Cook (2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2021). Bucknell has advanced to the championship every third season under Cook.
• Cook was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2014.
About the Terriers
• No. 1 seed Boston U. put together an undefeated regular season (4-0) and won 5-1 over fourth-seeded Holy Cross in the semifinals. The Terriers won three games by a 2-1 margin before scoring five goals in each of their last two outings.
• Boston U. junior Rebecca Janes broke the Patriot League Tournament record on Thursday with a seven-point performance. Janes scored three goals and provided one assist. Senior Kathryn Scheerer and sophomore Gianna Pantaleo also posted goals in the semifinal win.
• The Terriers lead the league in scoring margin (+1.98), goals per game (3.20), and are second in fewest goals allowed per game (1.20).
• The Terriers have won four Patriot League Championships since joining the league in 2013. They last won the title in 2018.
• Boston head coach Sally Starr served as head coach of the Bison in 1979 and 1980. She compiled a 19-14 record at Bucknell.
Series History with the Terriers
• Bucknell is 2-11 in all-time meetings with the Terriers dating back to 2011. Bucknell's two wins came in 2014 and 2019.
• Boston U. defeated the Bison in both the 2014 and 2017 Patriot League Championships.
• Bucknell won the most recent meeting, 1-0, back in September 2019. Maddie Rehak scored the only goal of the game 37 minutes in. It snapped the Terriers' 17-game winning streak against Patriot League opponents at New Balance Field. The Terriers were ranked #25 at the time.
Next Up
With a win on Saturday, the Bison will be crowned Patriot League Champions for the first time in program history and will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Bucknell, which lost its first three games of the 2021 spring season by a combined score of 10-1, has put together a remarkable turnaround and has now won four straight games. With another win on Saturday, Bucknell will advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time.
Setting the Scene: Patriot League Championship
Who: No. 3 Bucknell (4-3) at No. 1 Boston U. (5-0)
When: Saturday, April 24 at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Boston, Mass. – New Balance Field
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: GoTerriers.com
Spectator Policy: GoTerriers.com
Game Notes
About the Bison
• Third-seeded Bucknell is set to face top-seeded Boston U. in the Patriot League Championship game on Saturday. It's Bucknell's eighth trip to the title game and the team's fifth appearance under head coach Jeremy Cook.
• Bucknell advanced after a 2-1 shootout win over No. 2 American in the semifinals. Both teams went scoreless over the first 54:52 of game time before Bucknell broke the scoring open with a Megan Keeney goal. American responded quickly, tying the game less than three minutes later and with 2:26 left to play in regulation. Bucknell dominated in the two overtime periods, outshooting the Eagles 9-1, but the game went to a shootout. American made its first penalty stroke attempt but missed on the next four. Keeney and Rachel Apa both converted, and the Bison came away with the win.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Clara McCormick was outstanding throughout Thursday evening. She registered eight saves while allowing one goal and stuffed the Eagles during the shootout. McCormick was a two-time Goalkeeper of the Week selection this season.
• Apa, who entered the tournament leading the Bison in points, added an assist on Keeney's goal in regulation. It was the rookie's second assist of the season, and she now has six total points.
• While not scoring, senior Kaelyn Long was Bucknell's main aggressor on Thursday. She rattled off a team-high seven shots with four on goal. Kari Melberger also supplied a pair of shots.
• After trailing 8-5 in penalty corners during the first four quarters, Bucknell ramped up the pressure and was awarded seven corners compared to none for the Eagles in the two overtimes.
• The win was Bucknell's second of the season against the Eagles.
• The Bison rookies have accounted for 11 of Bucknell's 24 points this spring. They've provided four of Bucknell's eight goals and three of the team's eight assists.
• Bucknell had four players - Kaelyn Long (First Team), Erin Zielinski (First Team), Sarah Dimock (Second Team) and Leah Fogelsanger (Second Team) - make All-Patriot League teams this season. Long, Dimock and Fogelsanger make their second appearances on the postseason awards list, while Zielinski earns her spot for the first time. The Bison have had four or more players make an All-League team every year since 2016. Bucknell also tied with Boston U. for the most players honored this season.
• Long and McCormick were both named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team on Thursday. Long made the list for the second time in her career, and McCormick received the honor in her first season of eligibility.
Bison in the Patriot League Tournament
• Bucknell has qualified for the tournament 13 years in a row since head coach Jeremy Cook's arrival in 2008.
• Bucknell now has 23 total appearances in the tournament and is 8-22 all-time.
• Bucknell has now advanced to the championship game eight times but has never won the title.
• Bucknell has faced Boston U. five times in the Patriot League Tournament and has never won. Two of those losses came in the title game.
• Bucknell earned the No. 3 seed last season and fell 1-0 to No. 2 Lafayette in the semis in Washington, D.C.
Head Coach Jeremy Cook
• Jeremy Cook is in his 13th season at Bucknell and owns a 118-115 career record, including a 45-28 record in Patriot League play. Cook is 11 wins shy of becoming the program's all-time winningest head coach.
• Cook and the Bison put together a 6-0 league record in 2014 and finished 13-6 overall with a loss to Boston U. in the title game.
• The Bison have now reached the Patriot League title game five times under Cook (2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2021). Bucknell has advanced to the championship every third season under Cook.
• Cook was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2014.
About the Terriers
• No. 1 seed Boston U. put together an undefeated regular season (4-0) and won 5-1 over fourth-seeded Holy Cross in the semifinals. The Terriers won three games by a 2-1 margin before scoring five goals in each of their last two outings.
• Boston U. junior Rebecca Janes broke the Patriot League Tournament record on Thursday with a seven-point performance. Janes scored three goals and provided one assist. Senior Kathryn Scheerer and sophomore Gianna Pantaleo also posted goals in the semifinal win.
• The Terriers lead the league in scoring margin (+1.98), goals per game (3.20), and are second in fewest goals allowed per game (1.20).
• The Terriers have won four Patriot League Championships since joining the league in 2013. They last won the title in 2018.
• Boston head coach Sally Starr served as head coach of the Bison in 1979 and 1980. She compiled a 19-14 record at Bucknell.
Series History with the Terriers
• Bucknell is 2-11 in all-time meetings with the Terriers dating back to 2011. Bucknell's two wins came in 2014 and 2019.
• Boston U. defeated the Bison in both the 2014 and 2017 Patriot League Championships.
• Bucknell won the most recent meeting, 1-0, back in September 2019. Maddie Rehak scored the only goal of the game 37 minutes in. It snapped the Terriers' 17-game winning streak against Patriot League opponents at New Balance Field. The Terriers were ranked #25 at the time.
Next Up
With a win on Saturday, the Bison will be crowned Patriot League Champions for the first time in program history and will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Players Mentioned
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