Bucknell University
(3-4, 0-1PL)
Lafayette
(2-4, 1-0PL)
Bison Field Hockey Falls 2-1 at Lafayette in Patriot League Opener
9/15/2023 9:24:00 PM | Field Hockey
EASTON, Pa. – Kira Leclercq scored in the 39th minute to cut Lafayette's deficit in half, but two first-quarter goals by the Leopards were enough to down the Bucknell field hockey team in the first Patriot League contest of the season.
Lafayette (2-4, 1-0 PL) scored both goals within three minutes of each other to build the early lead, and its defense limited Bucknell (3-4, 0-1 PL) to just four shots in the second half. The Leopards held a 14-10 advantage in shots for the game and saw one more penalty corner opportunity than the Bison.
Lafayette's first goal came on a second-chance opportunity after Bison goalkeeper Sarah Althouse was drawn out of the cage on the initial shot, and Lineke Spaans scored on the open goal. The Leopards scored again with under five minutes to play in the opening quarter, capitalizing on a penalty corner as India Ralph put one through on a deflection.
The Bison saw several chances in the second quarter with three penalty corners but entered the halftime break trailing by a pair.
Bucknell made its way onto the scoreboard on a penalty corner with 6:16 left in the third, as Leclercq went top shelf with assists from Mia Fields and Hannah Guarente. It was Leclercq's third goal of the season.
GOAL! Kira Leclercq gets the Bison on the board! #rayBucknell
— Bucknell FieldHockey (@Bucknell_FH) September 16, 2023
Watch: https://t.co/CpS8KAhDIg@ESPN | @PatriotLeagueTV pic.twitter.com/M9zhtPvYVb
The Bison nearly tied the game with just under five minutes to play when Leclercq shot from the top of the circle on another corner, but it went just wide of the target and bounced off a teammate standing in front of the post. It was Bucknell's lone shot over the final 15 minutes.
Althouse finished the game with six saves, while Lafayette goalkeeper Raffi Fragomeni posted five.
Bucknell is back in action on Sunday, Sept. 17 when it travels to State College to take on the 12th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. The game is set to begin at noon and will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus.
Team Stats
Alex Darrah
Assisted By: Lineke Spaans
big flick over gk
8:28
India Ralph
Assisted By: Katie Gibb
corner
10:46
Kira Leclercq
Assisted By: Hannah Guarente , Mia Fields
corner drag
38:44
