Bucknell University
(2-2)
Temple
(3-1)
Field Hockey Comes From Behind to Defeat Temple 2-1 on the Road
9/5/2021 3:05:00 PM | Field Hockey
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Mackenzie Kile and Kari Melberger scored goals in the second quarter to lift Bucknell field hockey to a 2-1 victory over the Temple Owls on Sunday. The two second-quarter goals erased an early 1-0 Temple lead and gave the Bison their second victory of the season.
The Bison outshot Temple 8-5 for the game while the Owls held a 7-5 edge in penalty corners. Goalkeeper Clara McCormick registered a pair of saves against three Temple shots that were on target. Kile also added an assist to her big day, and Mary Kate Stefanowicz and Kayla Kisthardt posted assists as well. Temple receives its first loss of the season after opening 3-0.
Temple wasted little time in the first quarter, jumping on the board with a score in just the sixth minute of action. Temple rookie Julianne Kopec intercepted a pass on the Bucknell half and broke away from the defense for an open shot on goal, grabbing a 1-0 lead.
Regrouping after the first 15 minutes, Bucknell responded 24 seconds into the second quarter when Stefanowicz slid a pass through a host of Temple defenders, and Kile made a diving shot to the left of the goalkeeper that evened the game at 1-1. It was the third goal of the junior's career and her first of the season. It was also Stefanowicz' first-career assist.
A little under 12 minutes passed before Bucknell struck again. This time, Melberger shot from the top of the circle and made good on a penalty corner to give the Bison the 2-1 advantage just before halftime in the 27th minute of action. Kile was assisting on the play for her third point of the game, and Kisthardt earned her second assist of the season after initiating the play. Melberger, who scored twice as a rookie, now has three goals in her career.
An uneventful third quarter saw no shots and no penalty corners as the Bison defense clamped down.
Bucknell ramped up the pressure over the final 15 minutes, attempting four shots to Temple's one. Both teams saw a pair of penalty corners, but the Bison were able to hold on for their third win in a row in the series with the Owls.
Other notable performances included a team-high three shots from rookie Lily Neilson, and one shot apiece for junior Maddie Rehak and senior Grace McEvoy.
Next, Bucknell plays a single road match next weekend at Lock Haven. The Bison are 11-26-2 all-time in the long series history against Lock Haven and have won each of the last four, including a 1-0 victory in 2019. This season's matchup is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12 and will be Bucknell's third consecutive road contest.
Team Stats
KOPEC, Julianne (3)
GOAL by TEM KOPEC, Julianne (FIRST GOAL), goal number 3 for season.
5:14
Kile, Mackenzie
Assisted By: Stefanowicz, M.K.
on deflection
15:24
Melberger, Kari
Assisted By: Kile, Mackenzie , Kisthardt, Kayla
GOAL by BUCKNELL Melberger, Kari, Assist by Kile, Mackenzie and Kisthardt, Kayla.
26:56
