Bucknell University
(1-1)
LIU
(0-1)
Late Goals Lift Bucknell Field Hockey to 2-1 Overtime Win vs. LIU
8/29/2021 3:20:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell field hockey team scored goals with eight seconds left in regulation and 58 seconds into overtime to defeat LIU 2-1 at Graham Field on Sunday. Both goals came from penalty corner opportunities after the Bison were held off the scoreboard for nearly 60 minutes.
Rookie Lily Neilson scored the game-tying goal off feeds from Mackenzie Kile and Noor Kaur, and senior M.K. Stefanowicz posted her second-career overtime game-winner with help from Erin Zielinski and Kayla Kisthardt. With the win, Bucknell improved to 1-1 during the opening weekend of the season.
The Bison led 17-4 in shots and 8-2 in penalty corners. Junior goalkeeper Clara McCormick registered two saves, allowing one goal to the Sharks in the 42nd minute.
"After Friday, we spoke a lot about grit and determination. Today, the first half was something we wish we could take back and have another chance at," said head coach Jeremy Cook. "The second half, even though they scored in the third quarter, I thought our performance was really strong. It took us a little longer than we would've hoped, but getting a goal like that at the end … We really pride ourselves on being a tough, gritty, resilient team, and I think that's the type of goal you get when you play like that."
After a quiet first half that saw just four combined shots, LIU struck first 11 minutes into the third quarter. Sharks fifth-year Sammy Bell converted on a penalty corner, ripping a shot from near the top of the circle that got past McCormick's outstretched leg.
The LIU lead lasted nearly 19 minutes until Bucknell was awarded a penalty corner with 12 seconds left in the fourth quarter. After Kaur inserted the ball to Kile, a well-positioned stop left Neilson with an opportunity from the top of the circle. The New South Wales, Australia native fired it through traffic past the keeper to even the game with under 10 seconds to play.
BISON COME THROUGH! Lily Neilson scores with under 10 seconds to go to force overtime!
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) August 29, 2021
Watch: https://t.co/3yK6f2AGHK#rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/X3E0RZkcR5
Bucknell was awarded another penalty corner just 54 seconds into overtime, and this time it was Stefanowicz with a hard shot that caught the LIU goalkeeper off balance and skated through for the win.
Here's a look at the Stefanowicz OT winner against LIU! She's got a flair for the dramatic! #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/qTfbBF5lSt
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) August 29, 2021
Stefanowicz, Kile and Rachel Apa each posted three shots in the contest. The game saw a combined eight cards handed out. Four of Bucknell's last six games, dating back to last season, have gone beyond regulation.
Bucknell hits the road next weekend for games against Villanova and Temple. Bucknell visits the Wildcats on Friday, Sept. 3 before facing the Owls on Sunday, Sept. 5.
Team Stats
BELL, Sammy (1)
Assisted By: KING, Felicia , LIOTARD, Meilin
Penalty Corner
41:24
Lily Neilson (1)
Assisted By: Kile, Mackenzie , Kaur, Noor
Penalty corner
59:52
Stefanowicz, M.K. (1)
Assisted By: Zielinski, Erin , Kisthardt, Kayla
Penalty corner
60:58
