Bucknell University Athletics
Field Hockey's MK Stefanowicz Named Bison Athlete of the Week
5/3/2021 2:17:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Mary Kate Stefanowicz of the Bucknell field hockey team has been named the Bison Athlete of the Week, which is presented by Mid-Penn Energy and Mid-Penn Engineering. The junior earns the award for the first time in her career after scoring both goals in Friday's thrilling NCAA first round victory over VCU.
Stefanowicz, a midfielder from Lansdale, Pa., scored the game-tying and game-winning goals against the Rams to lift the Bison to their first NCAA tournament win. Bucknell entered the second half of Friday's game trailing 1-0, but the Bison received a penalty corner six minutes into the third quarter, and Stefanowicz found the back of the net to even the game at 1-1.
The game sat tied until 13 seconds remained in the second overtime, when the Bison earned another penalty corner opportunity. Following a flurry of shots in front of the goal, Stefanowicz fired off the game-winning golden goal before being mauled by teammates at midfield. The two goals were the first points of Stefanowicz's career.
Stefanowicz started six contests this season, including both Patriot League tournament games and both NCAA tournament games. Her sister, Kelly, was a member of the Bucknell field hockey team from 2010 to 2012.
Bucknell's historic season came to an end in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday with a 2-0 loss to second-seeded Michigan. Bucknell is just the second Patriot League team to earn a first-round victory in the national postseason tournament.
