Field Hockey Cedes Shootout to American

WASHINGTON, D.C- The Bucknell Bison field hockey team (5-8, 1-3 PL) fell 2-1 to the American Eagles (6-5, 3-0 PL) on Saturday afternoon in a pivotal Patriot League matchup. The Bison led 1-0 for most of the game until American scored the equalizer with only 32 seconds remaining in the contest. The game entered a shootout conclusion after both teams failed to score in overtime. Bucknell twice led during the shootout period, but the Eagles answered both times and converted on their fifth tally to win the segment, 3-2.

Recap

The first period started the game calmly, as neither team could score a goal due to the suffocating defense on display. American recorded three shot attempts to Bucknell's one opportunity.

American owned the beginning portion of the second quarter by recording four shots and keeping the Bison on the backfoot defensively. Bucknell's defense stood tall and prevented the home team from seizing the lead. The switch flipped in the latter half of the period. American player Agustina Roffo was issued a yellow card, forcing the Eagles to play with a woman down. Bucknell drew a penalty corner. Mia Fields sent a pass to Kira Leclercq, and the German native slammed a shot past the American defense for the 1-0 Bucknell lead. The final minutes ticked down without incident.

Leclercq strikes! She shot a laser and the Bison took advantage of the Eagles being down a member! 1-0 Bucknell!

Watch: https://t.co/2VBBW7khpY @PatriotLeagueTV #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/d9NZZnSVMF
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) October 7, 2023

The third period followed the trend of American massively outshooting the Bison but coming up empty. Goalkeeper Sarah Althouse continued her sensational day by racking more of her career-high 17 saves. It was a long day for the freshman goalie as American fired 26 shots. But the Bison clung to a 1-0 lead as the fourth quarter started.

The fourth quarter lacked the frantic pace and shooting of previous periods, as American only had three chances through most of the stanza. With less than a minute, Bucknell looked assured of victory, but the Bison could not move the ball out of their half of the field as the team tried stalling tactics. American stole the sphere, advanced, and earned a penalty corner. The ball was inserted, and a sharp shot passed by the Bison defense to tie the game with 32 seconds remaining.

American generally had the advantage during overtime as the Eagles continued to fire shot after shot at Althouse. The first-year goalie refused to yield the golden goal despite facing immense pressure. Bucknell had several scoring opportunities but could not convert.

Both teams started 0-2 in the shootout period as the goalkeepers stood tall, with Althouse matching American's Bryn Underwood, the reigning Patriot League Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year. On Bucknell's third chance, Gianna Puorro drew first blood. American matched it. Lily Neilson scored on the next attempt. American once again answered. Reanne Burgess missed on the fifth attempt, and since the American player scored on her try, the Eagles won the shootout 3-2 and consequently won 2-1.

Notes

Althouse's 17 saves were the most recorded by a Bucknell goalkeeper since the game against Penn State (10/9/21) when Clara McCormick notched 13 saves.

Up Next

The Bison return home to Holmes Stadium to welcome MAC powerhouse Miami (OH) on Oct. 15.

Next Event

Team Stats

Kira Leclercq

Isabella Pavlides

Mia Fields

Nicky Punt

Players Mentioned

Sarah Althouse

Reanne Burgess

Mia Fields

Kira Leclercq

Clara McCormick

Lily Neilson

Gianna Puorro