Saturday, October 26
Easton, Pa.
6 p.m.
Bucknell University
10-4-2, 6-2-0
2
at
1
Lafayette
5-6-3, 2-3-3
1
2
F
Bucknell
1
1
2
Lafayette
0
1
1
Photo by: Lianne Garrahan
Women’s Soccer Alone in First Place After 2-1 Win at Lafayette
10/26/2024 10:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer
EASTON, Pa. – Teresa Deda set up Reese Evans with another milestone assist, and later she scored what proved to the match-winning goal as the Bucknell women's soccer team held off Lafayette 2-1 on Saturday night at Mike Bourger Field at Oaks Stadium. The victory, coupled with a Boston University draw at American earlier in the day, helped the Bison regain sole possession of first place in the Patriot League with only one regular-season match remaining.
Now 10-4-2 overall and 6-2 in the Patriot League, the Bison hit the double-digit victory mark for the 16th time in program history. Bucknell and Boston University came into the day tied atop the league table with the Terriers holding the head-to-head tiebreaker. But even though Boston University erased a 2-0 deficit with two goals in the final 14 minutes at American, the Terriers had to settle for a single point while the Bison nabbed all three on the road.
Bucknell now has 18 points, two clear of Boston University and Army, and the Bison have clinched a top-two seed and a bye into the Patriot League Tournament semifinals. The Terriers and Black Knights play each other in Boston on Wednesday, while the Bison host Lehigh knowing that a win would clinch the regular-season title.
Lafayette (5-6-3, 2-3-3 PL) is tied for the sixth and final postseason spot with Loyola. The Leopards came out strong in this one, but the Bison pinged an early goal in the 16th minute thanks to a bit of magic from Deda. Seemingly pinned in at the corner flag on the left side, she escaped, turned two defenders and delivered a perfect cross to a wide open Evans who flicked home the volley for her third goal of the season. The assist was Deda's 36th, giving her sole possession of Bucknell's all-time record. Hall-of-Famer Lisa Gibbons had held the previous mark of 35 since 1994.
Bucknell tacked on seven minutes into the second half. Lafayette's left back carried the ball all the way up to midfield, but Deda intervened and started a 2v1 counter the other way. She deked her defender as she entered the box and fired into the back of the next for her team-leading ninth goal of the season.
The nine goals ties Deda's career high, and she became the sixth player in team history to reach 80 career points.
Lafayette made a late push, however, and for the first time in five meetings the Leopards scored against Bucknell. In the 76th minute the Bison couldn't clear Abby Miles' low service into the box, and Gretchen Waechter slotted home the loose ball to make it a 2-1 game.
With its lead trimmed to one, Bucknell had to defend two corner kicks, and goalkeeper Jess Benattar made a nice play coming off her line to nab another cross.
"In the last few games of Patriot League play teams get very hungry, and Lafayette was certainly hungry at the start tonight," said head coach Kelly Cook. "I was happy with how we matched their energy at the start and got the early goal to get us going. The second one was huge to keep the pressure on them, and then we had a bit of a lapse and gave up a goal. I thought their goal woke us up a bit and we were able to finish it off and take the three points. We've put ourselves in a good position, and now we just want to make sure that we are playing well going into the postseason."
Benattar finished with two saves on the night as the Bison limited the Leopards to five total shots.
Bucknell and Lehigh kick off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Emmitt Field, with the Bison vying for their sixth regular-season championship.
Now 10-4-2 overall and 6-2 in the Patriot League, the Bison hit the double-digit victory mark for the 16th time in program history. Bucknell and Boston University came into the day tied atop the league table with the Terriers holding the head-to-head tiebreaker. But even though Boston University erased a 2-0 deficit with two goals in the final 14 minutes at American, the Terriers had to settle for a single point while the Bison nabbed all three on the road.
Bucknell now has 18 points, two clear of Boston University and Army, and the Bison have clinched a top-two seed and a bye into the Patriot League Tournament semifinals. The Terriers and Black Knights play each other in Boston on Wednesday, while the Bison host Lehigh knowing that a win would clinch the regular-season title.
Lafayette (5-6-3, 2-3-3 PL) is tied for the sixth and final postseason spot with Loyola. The Leopards came out strong in this one, but the Bison pinged an early goal in the 16th minute thanks to a bit of magic from Deda. Seemingly pinned in at the corner flag on the left side, she escaped, turned two defenders and delivered a perfect cross to a wide open Evans who flicked home the volley for her third goal of the season. The assist was Deda's 36th, giving her sole possession of Bucknell's all-time record. Hall-of-Famer Lisa Gibbons had held the previous mark of 35 since 1994.
Where does this one rank among Teresa Deda's school-record 36 career assists? She escapes being pinned in the corner and drops a perfect time to Reese Evans for the cool volley. #rayBucknell @PatriotLeagueHQ | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/Eaq4Hw1pw0
— Bucknell Women's Soccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) October 27, 2024
Bucknell tacked on seven minutes into the second half. Lafayette's left back carried the ball all the way up to midfield, but Deda intervened and started a 2v1 counter the other way. She deked her defender as she entered the box and fired into the back of the next for her team-leading ninth goal of the season.
The nine goals ties Deda's career high, and she became the sixth player in team history to reach 80 career points.
Lafayette made a late push, however, and for the first time in five meetings the Leopards scored against Bucknell. In the 76th minute the Bison couldn't clear Abby Miles' low service into the box, and Gretchen Waechter slotted home the loose ball to make it a 2-1 game.
With its lead trimmed to one, Bucknell had to defend two corner kicks, and goalkeeper Jess Benattar made a nice play coming off her line to nab another cross.
"In the last few games of Patriot League play teams get very hungry, and Lafayette was certainly hungry at the start tonight," said head coach Kelly Cook. "I was happy with how we matched their energy at the start and got the early goal to get us going. The second one was huge to keep the pressure on them, and then we had a bit of a lapse and gave up a goal. I thought their goal woke us up a bit and we were able to finish it off and take the three points. We've put ourselves in a good position, and now we just want to make sure that we are playing well going into the postseason."
Benattar finished with two saves on the night as the Bison limited the Leopards to five total shots.
Bucknell and Lehigh kick off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Emmitt Field, with the Bison vying for their sixth regular-season championship.
Team Stats
Buck
Laf
Goals
2
1
Shots
7
5
Shots on Goal
6
3
Saves
2
4
Corners
4
2
Fouls
7
9
Scoring Plays
Reese Evans (3)
Assisted By: Teresa Deda
GOAL by Buck Evans, Reese Assist by Deda, Teresa.
15:55
Teresa Deda (9)
GOAL by Buck Deda, Teresa.
52:31
Gretchen Waechter (1)
GOAL by Laf Waechter, Gretchen.
75:18
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
mid
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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In The Herd: World Championships Preview And Evelyn Bliss Feature
Tuesday, September 16
(Coaches Camera) Salem Men's Water Polo Vs. Gannon (9/21/25)
Monday, September 15
Salem Men's Water Polo Vs. Gannon (9/21/25)
Monday, September 15