Bucknell University
(4-9)
Penn State
(12-2)
Field Hockey Dropped by No. 4 Penn State at Graham Field
10/14/2022 8:53:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell field hockey team held No. 4 Penn State off the scoreboard for nearly 29 minutes at Graham Field Friday evening, but a goal just before halftime and a flurry of Nittany Lion scores early in the third quarter resulted in a 4-0 loss for the Bison. It was the fourth win in a row for Penn State (12-2, 5-1 Big Ten), while Bucknell (4-9, 3-1 PL) suffered its third straight defeat.
Penn State held a 27-7 advantage in shots and was awarded 15 penalty corners to Bucknell's two. Less than half of the Nittany Lions' shots were on target, as Bucknell blocked nine of them and Kira Leclercq added a defensive save. Goalkeeper Clara McCormick finished the game with seven saves.
It was senior Jemma Punch's goal with 1:23 left in the second quarter that opened the scoring for the Nittany Lions, and she added another goal just 16 seconds into the second half to push the deficit to 2-0.
The Big Ten's second-leading scorer Sophia Gladieux found the back of the cage at the 34-minute mark in the third, and Meghan Reese scored three minutes later as Penn State scored three goals in under eight minutes to stymie Bucknell's hopes of a comeback.
Three of Penn State's goals were scored off of rebounds after McCormick made saves on the initial shots.
The Bison did see some late chances and earned its two penalty corners in the fourth quarter. Nicky Punt was also given an opportunity on a penalty stroke with 4:46 remaining in the contest, but Penn State goalkeeper Lauren Delgado came up with the diving save after entering the game in the fourth. She recorded all three of the Lions' saves.
Punt finished with two of Bucknell's seven shots, and she and Leclercq combined for all four shots on goal. Gugulethu Sibanda also attempted two shots, and Lily Neilson added one that sailed just over the crossbar in the opening minutes of the contest.
Penn State represented the second ranked opponent the Bison have faced this season. While Bucknell is just 1-8 in non-league games, it remains second in the Patriot League with three victories and one loss to Lehigh.
The Bison will take one Atlantic 10 foe Richmond at Graham Field on Sunday, Oct. 16 before getting back into Patriot League play against American next Saturday.
Team Stats
Punch, Jemma (4)
Assisted By: Gladieux, Sophia
Rocket from left wing on penalty corner
28:37
Punch, Jemma (5)
23 bats in rebound after save on shot by
30:16
Gladieux, Sophia (16)
3 scores off own rebound
34:00
Reese, Meghan (3)
11 scores off rebound
37:36
