Bucknell University
(3-5 (2-0PL))
Lafayette
(2-7 (0-2PL))
Field Hockey Rallies to Beat Lafayette 2-1 at Home Friday Evening
9/23/2022 10:17:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Kayla Kisthardt scored with 5:31 to play in the fourth quarter to give Bucknell field hockey a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Lafayette under the lights at Graham Field Friday evening. Kisthardt's goal was one of two in the second half by the Bison after the Leopards opened the scoring in the 40th minute of action. The Bison improved to 2-0 in Patriot League play with the win.
Lily Neilson initially tied the game for Bucknell, scoring her league-leading ninth goal of the season with 1:21 to play in the third. Senior goalkeeper Clara McCormick made three huge saves over the final 15 minutes to prevent the Leopards from coming back, and she finished the evening with six saves overall.
"It's that grittiness. It's something we've been talking about. I'm super proud of our team for having that never-give-up mentality. It's going to be a staple and part of our culture," said head coach Kelsey Kolojejchick. "I can't be happier that they were willing to stick together, stay composed and get a result."
The two teams traded punches over the first two quarters with Lafayette posting a 4-1 advantage in shots in the first and Bucknell attempting all five shots in the second. The Leopards also earned three of the four penalty corners over the first 30 minutes, but that quickly changed early in the second half.
The Bison were awarded eight penalty corners in a row over the first four minutes of the third quarter, but the Lafayette defense turned away each one as the Orange & Blue rattled off seven shots.
"It's grinding it out. Of course you want to get the results, and that's something we'll go back to the drawing board and keep working on, but what I'm happy to see is that even though we're not scoring, no one is getting upset about it," Kolojejchick said. "I commend Lafayette. They clearly did their homework. They did a fantastic job there, but I'm just proud that it didn't bother us and that we were able to find a way."
Five minutes after Bucknell's barrage, Lafayette took a 1-0 lead as Molly McAndrew scored on a centering pass by Catalina Rubel.
Bucknell was again awarded back-to-back corners and evened things up with Neilson's goal less than four minutes later as Isabella Pavlides and Nicky Punt added assists. 10 of Bucknell's 12 corners came during the third quarter.
End of 3rd | Bucknell 1, Lafayette 1
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) September 24, 2022
GOAL!!! Neilson scores her ninth of the season on Bucknell's 10th corner of the quarter to tie it up! @PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN#rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/QZQ5VTOqyN
Kisthardt's game winner in the final six minutes was a result of a scrum on a penalty corner where she touched the ball over the line after an initial shot by Kira Leclercq was defended. It was the first goal of the senior's career.
There's the go-ahead goal! Kayla Kisthardt finishes off a corner to give Bucknell a 2-1 lead! We're under three minutes to play now. @PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/ZXOtRvGzNo
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) September 24, 2022
The Leopards got four more shots off, including one with 2:25 to play on a corner that McCormick made a big stop on, and they pulled their goalkeeper late after playing portions of the final 15 minutes short-handed.
McCormick comes up big again! Bison holding on late with 60 seconds to play now in this thriller. @PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/k9z4qTEqFp
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) September 24, 2022
Pavlides has now registered points in three consecutive games, and Neilson is now one goal away from entering Bucknell's all-time top 10 with 24 over her young career.
Bucknell is back at Graham Field on Sunday, Sept. 25 to host a non-league game against the Drexel Dragons at noon.
Team Stats
Molly McAndrew (3)
Assisted By: Catalina Rubel
10 centers for 1
39:44
Neilson, Lily (9)
Assisted By: Punt, Nicky , Pavlides, Isabella
Shot off penalty corner sneaks inside le
43:39
Kisthardt, Kayla (1)
Scrum off corner, 7 touches it over line
54:29
