Thursday, August 19
Lewisburg, Pa.
4 p.m.
Bucknell University
1-0-0
1
vs
0
Youngstown State
0-1-0
1
2
F
Youngstown State
0
0
0
Bucknell
1
0
1
Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
Bucknell Women’s Soccer Debuts with 1-0 Home Win over Youngstown State
8/19/2021 7:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Bucknell Women's Soccer Debuts with 1-0 Home Win over Youngstown State
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Rylee Donaldson's goal just past the quarter-hour mark gave Bucknell the early lead, and the Bison controlled the run of play the rest of the way in a season-opening 1-0 victory over Youngstown State before a spirited crowd at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jenna Hall picked up the shutout in her first career start. Her lone save of the day was a point-blank stop on a back-post header from Maddy Bellaver in the 7th minute, and the Bison defense kept Hall clean the rest of the way. The Penguins registered only two more attempts the rest of the match, neither of which were on goal as Bucknell finished with a 23-3 advantage on the shot board.
After nearly conceding the opening tally, the Bison cashed in at the other end. Junior Abby Gearhart, who spearheaded a dominant performance from the midfield unit, played a crisp through ball to Donaldson along the right edge of the penalty area. Donaldson took a touch and then calmly finished past onrushing goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj.
Donaldson's second career goal held up as the game-winner, although the Bison could not get a finishing touch on numerous opportunities for an insurance marker in the second half. In the first 15 minutes of the period, Gearhart saw her well-struck ball from 20 yards out saved, and Kenar Gelman sent a rocket from long distance just inches over the bar.
Freshman midfielder Teresa Deda sent a nice pass through to Donaldson for a semi-breakaway in the 63rd minute, but Jivraj turned her shot aside for a corner kick. Four minutes later, Gearhart rang the crossbar with a header, and in the 86th minute Deda had a nice look of her own after a threaded pass from Ashley Groeber, but Jivraj was well-positioned for her eighth and final save of the day.
Youngstown State's only dangerous moment came in the 75th minute when Rachel Austin found room along the right side of the area after a mis-struck back pass from a Bison defender, but Austin's shot sailed high.
Donaldson and Petie Nassetta led the Bison with four shots apiece, while Gearhart and freshman forward Paige Temple had three each.
Temple and Deda made their collegiate debuts in the starting lineup, and classmates Kalli Wethern, Kelley Francis and Katie Schiano all provided solid minutes in attacking roles off the bench.
The Bison are home again on Sunday afternoon, taking on Towson at 1 p.m. at Emmitt Field. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Rylee Donaldson's goal just past the quarter-hour mark gave Bucknell the early lead, and the Bison controlled the run of play the rest of the way in a season-opening 1-0 victory over Youngstown State before a spirited crowd at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jenna Hall picked up the shutout in her first career start. Her lone save of the day was a point-blank stop on a back-post header from Maddy Bellaver in the 7th minute, and the Bison defense kept Hall clean the rest of the way. The Penguins registered only two more attempts the rest of the match, neither of which were on goal as Bucknell finished with a 23-3 advantage on the shot board.
🎙️Let's hear from head coach Kelly Cook after today's win!
— Bucknell WSoccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) August 19, 2021
Spoiler Alert: Coach wore a microphone during the game, and she will be featured on the next "Mic'd Up Monday" on @Bucknell_Bison.#rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/SMDw6yvozG
After nearly conceding the opening tally, the Bison cashed in at the other end. Junior Abby Gearhart, who spearheaded a dominant performance from the midfield unit, played a crisp through ball to Donaldson along the right edge of the penalty area. Donaldson took a touch and then calmly finished past onrushing goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj.
1⃣2⃣➡️5⃣
— Bucknell WSoccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) August 19, 2021
What a pass from Abby, what a finish from Rylee, what a roar from the huge crowd! #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/gGlB20Sk4H
Donaldson's second career goal held up as the game-winner, although the Bison could not get a finishing touch on numerous opportunities for an insurance marker in the second half. In the first 15 minutes of the period, Gearhart saw her well-struck ball from 20 yards out saved, and Kenar Gelman sent a rocket from long distance just inches over the bar.
Freshman midfielder Teresa Deda sent a nice pass through to Donaldson for a semi-breakaway in the 63rd minute, but Jivraj turned her shot aside for a corner kick. Four minutes later, Gearhart rang the crossbar with a header, and in the 86th minute Deda had a nice look of her own after a threaded pass from Ashley Groeber, but Jivraj was well-positioned for her eighth and final save of the day.
Youngstown State's only dangerous moment came in the 75th minute when Rachel Austin found room along the right side of the area after a mis-struck back pass from a Bison defender, but Austin's shot sailed high.
Donaldson and Petie Nassetta led the Bison with four shots apiece, while Gearhart and freshman forward Paige Temple had three each.
Temple and Deda made their collegiate debuts in the starting lineup, and classmates Kalli Wethern, Kelley Francis and Katie Schiano all provided solid minutes in attacking roles off the bench.
The Bison are home again on Sunday afternoon, taking on Towson at 1 p.m. at Emmitt Field. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Team Stats
YSU
BUCKNELL
Goals
0
1
Shots
3
23
Shots on Goal
1
9
Saves
8
1
Corners
2
7
Fouls
13
11
Scoring Plays
Donaldson, Rylee (1)
Assisted By: Gearhart, Abby
12 plays in 5 along right side of box
15:10
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
F
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