Bucknell University
(0-1)
#9 Louisville
(1-0)
Field Hockey Falls 2-1 to No. 9 Louisville in Season Opener
8/26/2022 10:38:00 PM | Field Hockey
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Bucknell field hockey team entered the final 10 minutes of Friday's season opener all tied up with ninth-ranked Louisville, but the Cardinals scored the game-winning goal with 7:07 to play to hand the Bison a 2-1 loss at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex.
Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Lily Neilson put one in the back of the cage in the 37th minute to help Bucknell draw even with Louisville after the ACC power took an early 1-0 lead in the opening minutes of the game. Senior goalkeeper Clara McCormick made two saves in the second half to keep the game tied before 2021 NFHCA All-American Julie Kouijzer scored her second goal of the night.
McCormick totaled seven saves in the game, and the Bison finished even with Louisville with 11 shots. Neilson accounted for five of Bucknell's shots, putting four on goal. Senior Maddie Rehak attempted three.
Kouijzer's first goal of the night came on a penalty corner just 3:17 into the contest, and the Cardinals were hot out of the gates with the first three shot attempts. Bucknell settled in during the second quarter and held a 6-2 edge in shots during the period, including three in a row during back-to-back penalty corners. Louisville held off the surge and entered halftime with the 1-0 advantage.
Neilson's goal was unassisted with just 6:24 gone in the second half. Freshman Kira Leclercq followed up with another shot on goal just under six minutes later but wasn't able to get it past the keeper.
3rd | Bucknell 1, No. 9 Louisville 1
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) August 27, 2022
GOAL!! Neilson gets one to go in the 37th minute, and we're all tied up!#rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/RsopvQB43N
The Bison got one more shot off in the fourth quarter before the Cardinals took the lead for good.
Louisville's Aimee Plumb ended up with two assists in the game, while Kelsey McCrudden and Mia Duchars each posted one. Louisville goalkeeper Sasha Elliot ended up with six saves.
The Bison are back on the road Sunday to face James Madison in Harrisonburg, Pa. The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Team Stats
Julie Kouijzer
Assisted By: Aimee Plumb , Mia Duchars
GOAL by LOU Julie Kouijzer (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Aimee Plumb and Mia Duchars.
3:17
Neilson, Lily
GOAL by BUCKNELL Neilson, Lily.
36:24
Julie Kouijzer
Assisted By: Kelsey McCrudden , Aimee Plumb
GOAL by LOU Julie Kouijzer, Assist by Kelsey McCrudden and Aimee Plumb.
52:53
