Friday, October 7
Easton, Pa.
7 p.m.
Bucknell University
7-5-1, 4-1-0
2
at
0
Lafayette
3-8-2, 1-3-1
1
2
F
Bucknell
1
1
2
Lafayette
0
0
0
Photo by: Charlie Lengal III
Women’s Soccer Scores Early, Late in 2-0 Road Win at Lafayette
10/7/2022 10:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer
EASTON, Pa. – Abby Gearhart kept up her goal-scoring onslaught, Rylee Donaldson tacked on a late insurance marker, and Teresa Deda continued her climb up the team's all-time assists leaderboard as the Bucknell women's soccer team defeated Lafayette 2-0 on Friday night at Oaks Stadium. The Bison won their fourth straight Patriot League game to get to 4-1 in conference play, and they moved to the top of the table at least temporarily, with 3-0-1 Army set to play its fifth league game at Colgate on Saturday.
Now 7-5-1 overall, Bucknell utilized a good formula for a road league win, netting an early goal and then working hard defensively for the balance of the 90 minutes. The Bison limited the Leopards (3-8-2, 1-3-1 PL) to only four total shots and no corner kicks, and with the exception of one tenuous moment with 90 seconds remaining, goalkeeper Jenna Hall was kept clean all night.
"This is a good win against one of the better Lafayette teams we have seen," said head coach Kelly Cook, who recorded her 70th win at Bucknell. "They were coming off a very good win over Loyola, and you never know how a team is going to react after getting on the bus after class and playing a tough road game, with a couple of days off for Fall Break around the corner. We stressed the importance of getting off to a strong start and setting the tone for the game, so getting the early goal really helped."
Gearhart was on the finishing end of that ninth-minute tally, giving her a Patriot League-high six goals on the season. Gearhart, who has won the last two Patriot League Midfielder of the Week awards, has now scored in four straight Patriot League games, totaling five goals in that span. She had a brace last Saturday against Holy Cross and now has a new career high for goals in a season.
Deda sent the opening goal in motion by lofting a high service into the box. Donaldson headed the ball across the box to Gearhart, who volleyed it home with her left foot.
Donaldson, an Allentown native playing not far from her hometown, nearly doubled the lead a few minutes later but her blast from outside the box went off the crossbar.
In the second half, Gearhart just missed over the bar on another volley attempt, and Deda had a low shot kicked aside by goalkeeper Linday Dewar after some nifty moves along the end line.
Lafayette had some spells of possession in the second half, but the Bison dealt back four dealt with every challenge. The Leopards' only real chance came with 1:30 to play, when Sara Oswald turned twice in the center of the area and seemed to have a bit of space to shoot. Brooke Tracey flew in to get a piece of the shot, but the ball deflected to Gretchen Waechter at the left post. Hall quickly scurried over to smother the shot and maintain the 1-0 lead.
Bucknell added a second with two seconds remaining in the match. Deda collected a throw-in and played Donaldson in for a clean breakaway and her fourth goal of the season and 15th of her career.
Deda's two assists in the game give her a league-high eight on the season and 20 in her career. The sophomore moved past Hall-of-Famer Jennifer Dervarics into sole possession of third place on Bucknell's all-time list. Lisa Gibbons (35) and Liz Woodrow (22) are the only other Bison to record 20 career assists.
Bucknell finished with a 14-4 edge in shots and a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks. Hall finished with three saves en route to her fourth solo shutout of the season.
The Bison have four games remaining in the regular season, including two tough ones next week. Loyola visits Emmitt Field on Wednesday night, and then Bucknell travels to Boston University on Saturday for a rematch of the 2021 Patriot League championship game.
Now 7-5-1 overall, Bucknell utilized a good formula for a road league win, netting an early goal and then working hard defensively for the balance of the 90 minutes. The Bison limited the Leopards (3-8-2, 1-3-1 PL) to only four total shots and no corner kicks, and with the exception of one tenuous moment with 90 seconds remaining, goalkeeper Jenna Hall was kept clean all night.
"This is a good win against one of the better Lafayette teams we have seen," said head coach Kelly Cook, who recorded her 70th win at Bucknell. "They were coming off a very good win over Loyola, and you never know how a team is going to react after getting on the bus after class and playing a tough road game, with a couple of days off for Fall Break around the corner. We stressed the importance of getting off to a strong start and setting the tone for the game, so getting the early goal really helped."
Gearhart was on the finishing end of that ninth-minute tally, giving her a Patriot League-high six goals on the season. Gearhart, who has won the last two Patriot League Midfielder of the Week awards, has now scored in four straight Patriot League games, totaling five goals in that span. She had a brace last Saturday against Holy Cross and now has a new career high for goals in a season.
Deda sent the opening goal in motion by lofting a high service into the box. Donaldson headed the ball across the box to Gearhart, who volleyed it home with her left foot.
Let's check out Abby Gearhart's opening goal in the 9th minute. Long ball into the box and great work by Rylee Donaldson to direct the header right to Gearhart. #rayBucknell
— Bucknell Women's Soccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) October 7, 2022
Watch live: https://t.co/Vl9YeYNokN@PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/WhuzCJ07Ct
Donaldson, an Allentown native playing not far from her hometown, nearly doubled the lead a few minutes later but her blast from outside the box went off the crossbar.
In the second half, Gearhart just missed over the bar on another volley attempt, and Deda had a low shot kicked aside by goalkeeper Linday Dewar after some nifty moves along the end line.
Lafayette had some spells of possession in the second half, but the Bison dealt back four dealt with every challenge. The Leopards' only real chance came with 1:30 to play, when Sara Oswald turned twice in the center of the area and seemed to have a bit of space to shoot. Brooke Tracey flew in to get a piece of the shot, but the ball deflected to Gretchen Waechter at the left post. Hall quickly scurried over to smother the shot and maintain the 1-0 lead.
Bucknell added a second with two seconds remaining in the match. Deda collected a throw-in and played Donaldson in for a clean breakaway and her fourth goal of the season and 15th of her career.
One more for good measure! The familiar Deda-to-Donaldson combo results in a late goal and the Bison seal a 2-0 win in Easton. #rayBucknell@PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/4HrI9KZXgj
— Bucknell Women's Soccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) October 8, 2022
Deda's two assists in the game give her a league-high eight on the season and 20 in her career. The sophomore moved past Hall-of-Famer Jennifer Dervarics into sole possession of third place on Bucknell's all-time list. Lisa Gibbons (35) and Liz Woodrow (22) are the only other Bison to record 20 career assists.
Bucknell finished with a 14-4 edge in shots and a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks. Hall finished with three saves en route to her fourth solo shutout of the season.
The Bison have four games remaining in the regular season, including two tough ones next week. Loyola visits Emmitt Field on Wednesday night, and then Bucknell travels to Boston University on Saturday for a rematch of the 2021 Patriot League championship game.
Team Stats
BUC
LAF
Goals
2
0
Shots
14
4
Shots on Goal
6
3
Saves
3
4
Corners
6
0
Fouls
6
5
Scoring Plays
Abby Gearhart (6)
Assisted By: Rylee Donaldson , Teresa Deda
GOAL by BUC Gearhart, Abby Assist by Donaldson, Rylee and Deda, Teresa.
08:37
Rylee Donaldson (4)
Assisted By: Teresa Deda
GOAL by BUC Donaldson, Rylee Assist by Deda, Teresa.
89:58
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
5
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
2
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
D
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