Bucknell University Athletics
Women’s Soccer Earns Three Patriot League Awards after 2-0 Week
8/21/2023 1:58:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell women's soccer team started its 2023 campaign in impressive fashion last week, posting a pair of dominant victories over opponents from the Atlantic 10 conference. The Bison defeated Saint Joseph's 4-0 and George Washington 3-1, and on Monday the team was rewarded with three players receiving Patriot League weekly honors.
Senior Jenna Hall was selected as the Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week, junior Teresa Deda was picked as the Midfielder of the Week, and sophomore forward Henna Andican was named Offensive Player of the Week. In addition, Deda was also named the Bison Athlete of the Week for her performance in Bucknell's first official athletics events of the year.
While Bucknell entered the year well-stocked with returning players on the defensive side of the field, the offense seemed to be a bit more unsettled after the graduation of the team's last two goal-scoring leaders in Rylee Donaldson and Abby Gearhart. Putting seven goals on the board in the first two games of the season was certainly a positive development, and Andican and Deda were catalysts in the attack, with both producing a goal and an assist in each game.
Andican tallied the opening goal in both matches, snapping scoreless draws in the 27th minute against Saint Joseph's and the 10th minute against George Washington. After scoring two goals as a rookie in 2022, Andican has already matched that total this year. In addition to the two goals, she has been on the end of a number of high-quality scoring chances and already has 14 shot attempts in two games, 10 of which have been on frame.
Deda, the 2022 Patriot League Midfielder of the Year 2023 Preseason Midfielder of the Year, controlled the center of the pitch in both contests. Deda led the league in assists in each of her first two collegiate seasons. She handed out two more last week to give her 22 in her career, tied with Liz Woodrow for second-most in team history, and she also scored two big insurance goals. Her strike against George Washington was particularly impressive, a left-footed blast just under the bar from well outside the box.
A suffocating effort from the back line meant that Hall was only needed for three saves in each game, but she commanded her box throughout and conceded only once, that coming on a well-placed shot with four minutes left and Bucknell's substitutes on against George Washington. Hall recorded her 18th career solo shutout against Saint Joe's, bringing her within four of Jessica Ratner's all-time team record.
Now 2-0 for the first time since 2016, Bucknell faces two stiff away tests this week with trips to No. 16 Georgetown on Thursday and No. 14 Pittsburgh on Sunday. Not only were both teams NCAA qualifiers last year, but they faced off in the second round in Tallahassee, Fla. The Panthers prevailed 2-1 before falling 3-0 to Florida State in the Sweet Sixteen two days later. The Bison earned their first-ever point against a ranked opponent last season with a 0-0 draw at No. 17 West Virginia.
Senior Jenna Hall was selected as the Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week, junior Teresa Deda was picked as the Midfielder of the Week, and sophomore forward Henna Andican was named Offensive Player of the Week. In addition, Deda was also named the Bison Athlete of the Week for her performance in Bucknell's first official athletics events of the year.
While Bucknell entered the year well-stocked with returning players on the defensive side of the field, the offense seemed to be a bit more unsettled after the graduation of the team's last two goal-scoring leaders in Rylee Donaldson and Abby Gearhart. Putting seven goals on the board in the first two games of the season was certainly a positive development, and Andican and Deda were catalysts in the attack, with both producing a goal and an assist in each game.
Andican tallied the opening goal in both matches, snapping scoreless draws in the 27th minute against Saint Joseph's and the 10th minute against George Washington. After scoring two goals as a rookie in 2022, Andican has already matched that total this year. In addition to the two goals, she has been on the end of a number of high-quality scoring chances and already has 14 shot attempts in two games, 10 of which have been on frame.
Deda, the 2022 Patriot League Midfielder of the Year 2023 Preseason Midfielder of the Year, controlled the center of the pitch in both contests. Deda led the league in assists in each of her first two collegiate seasons. She handed out two more last week to give her 22 in her career, tied with Liz Woodrow for second-most in team history, and she also scored two big insurance goals. Her strike against George Washington was particularly impressive, a left-footed blast just under the bar from well outside the box.
This any good from T? What a strike from the PL Midfielder of the Year to put a bow on another great performance. #rayBucknell #PLTop3@PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/LafzpRu6MA
— Bucknell Women's Soccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) August 20, 2023
A suffocating effort from the back line meant that Hall was only needed for three saves in each game, but she commanded her box throughout and conceded only once, that coming on a well-placed shot with four minutes left and Bucknell's substitutes on against George Washington. Hall recorded her 18th career solo shutout against Saint Joe's, bringing her within four of Jessica Ratner's all-time team record.
Now 2-0 for the first time since 2016, Bucknell faces two stiff away tests this week with trips to No. 16 Georgetown on Thursday and No. 14 Pittsburgh on Sunday. Not only were both teams NCAA qualifiers last year, but they faced off in the second round in Tallahassee, Fla. The Panthers prevailed 2-1 before falling 3-0 to Florida State in the Sweet Sixteen two days later. The Bison earned their first-ever point against a ranked opponent last season with a 0-0 draw at No. 17 West Virginia.
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