Bucknell University
(6-2, 2-0)
Boston U.
(2-7, 0-2)
Bison Field Hockey Pulls Off 2-1 Overtime Victory at Boston U.
9/25/2021 3:54:00 PM | Field Hockey
BOSTON, Mass. – Bucknell's Lily Neilson scored just 1:09 into overtime against Boston U. to give the Bison a thrilling 2-1 victory at New Balance Field on Saturday. The Bison had initially taken a 1-0 lead in the contest when Maddie Rehak scored in the 22nd minute of action, but the Terriers evened the game with 13 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, forcing an extra period. Neilson's overtime game-winner gave Bucknell its fifth consecutive victory this season and its sixth win in a row in games that have gone past regulation, dating back to last season.
Bucknell (6-2, 2-0 PL) led 13-11 in shots and 8-4 in penalty corners in the contest. Sophomores Rachel Apa and Gugulethu Sibanda provided the assists on Bucknell's goals, and junior goalkeeper Clara McCormick made six saves in the cage. Payton Anderson scored the lone goal for Boston (2-7, 0-2 PL).
Bucknell was dominant early on in the game, outshooting Boston 10-5 through the first two quarters. With under nine minutes remaining in the second, Sibanda dribbled the ball in from the right of the circle and attempted a shot that was initially saved by the Terriers' keeper. Rehak caught the rebound and made good on the second-chance shot to give the Bison a 1-0 lead. Rehak has now scored in back-to-back games and has two career goals against Boston U.
Bucknell saw two more corners in the third and held Boston to no shots in the quarter, but the Terriers surged in the final 15 minutes. They outshot Bucknell 5-1, and Anderson's goal in the 48th minute tied the game after a long pass into the circle was redirected into her lap by teammate Miya Dennison, leaving McCormick in tough position to make the stop.
Both teams had one outstanding shot apiece in overtime, but it was Bucknell's that reached the back of the cage for the game-winner. With just over a minute gone in the extra frame, Apa sent a pass from the far side of the circle to Neilson, who went backhand and squeezed the ball past the keeper for the golden goal.
Neilson, who leads the Patriot League in goals (8) this season, has racked up 13 points over her last three games. She earned Patriot League Offensice Player and Rookie of the Week honors last week after breaking a school record and tying a Patriot League record with five goals in a win over Holy Cross. This was the first game-winning goal of her career.
Bucknell has now won its last three games against the Terriers, including a 2-1 overtime victory in last season's Patriot League Championship.
Bucknell returns to action tomorrow to face Harvard in Cambridge, Mass. Sunday's game is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Team Stats
Rehak, Maddie (2)
Assisted By: Sibanda, Gugulethu
in front of cage, 9 dribbled in R endlin
21:24
Anderson, Payton (5)
Assisted By: Denison, Miya
5 yds, left side, 5 redirected entry bal
47:02
Neilson, Lily (8)
Assisted By: Apa, Rachel
left-mid of circle, reverse shot
61:09
