Sunday, November 10
Lewisburg, Pa.
12:30 p.m.
Bucknell University
12-4-3
1
vs
1
Boston University (PL Championship)
6-7-7
1
2
3
4
F
Boston University
0
1
0
0
1
Bucknell
0
1
0
0
1
Photo by: Lauren Medeiros
Women’s Soccer’s Championship Run Ends in PK Shootout
11/10/2024 5:01:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – It was a heartbreaking end to the most successful championship run in Bucknell women's soccer history, as the Bison came up one short to Boston University in a marathon penalty kick shootout in the Patriot League title match on Sunday at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium. Bucknell took a 1-0 lead on a Sydney Hess goal in the 67th minute, but the Terriers tied it up in the 86th and then prevailed 8-7 in PKs.
Bucknell was vying for its fourth straight Patriot League championship, something that had been done only once in league history. The Bison had prevailed three times in shootouts over the previous two postseasons, including in the 2022 and 2023 title matches at Army. This time they fell one short, as goalkeeper Celia Braun came off the bench for the shootout and made two saves, including the match-ender.
Despite the tough finish, this Bucknell senior class will be remembered for three Patriot League championships, a regular-season title, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and four trips to the PL championship match.
The PK session was full of drama. Boston University jumped out to a 3-1 lead and only needed to convert one of its next two to advance. But Jess Benattar made two straight saves to keep the Bison alive. Kalli Wethern, Ashley Koslowski, Riley Hayes, Laura Schmidt, and Kelley Francis all converted do-or-die shots, but after Gianna Savella scored to put the Terriers up 8-7, Braun dove to her left for a final save to end the match.
Benattar made a terrific early save on Morgan Weaver just nine minutes into the contest, but the Bison controlled the rest of the half to the tune of a 10-3 shot advantage. Reese Evans had a close-range volley turned aside by starting keeper Bridget Carr, and later from her backside Carr swatted away a Teresa Deda attempt that had taken a deflection and popped up in the air.
There was controversy with about 13 minutes to go in the half when Hayes stole the ball and broke in all alone. Carr ventured just outside the penalty area and wiped out Hayes as she took a touch around her. The Terriers keeper was given a major reprieve as only a yellow card was shown, and the resulting free kick went over the bar.
Bucknell found its breakthrough in the 67th minute, when Julia Palitti's free kick into the box was headed only as far as Hess, who popped a volley over the head of Carr for her second goal of the postseason and third of the campaign.
The Terriers threw numbers forward in the final 10 minutes, and seemingly out of nowhere the defender Weaver took a touch to her left foot and hit a perfectly placed strike off the left post and in with only 4:27 remaining.
Deda put a volley on target from the center of the area in the first overtime, but neither team found the golden goal.
Bucknell finished with a 15-10 shot advantage. Benattar made four saves, while Carr finished with seven before giving way to the taller Braun in the shootout.
Deda led all players with five shots, and the three-time Patriot League Midfielder of the Year finishes her record-setting career with 23 goals, 38 assists, and 84 points. She will graduate as Bucknell's all-time assists leader while also ranking fifth in points and 10th in goals.
Bucknell's season ends with a 12-4-3 record, while Boston University will head into the NCAA Tournament with a 6-7-7 record.
Bucknell was vying for its fourth straight Patriot League championship, something that had been done only once in league history. The Bison had prevailed three times in shootouts over the previous two postseasons, including in the 2022 and 2023 title matches at Army. This time they fell one short, as goalkeeper Celia Braun came off the bench for the shootout and made two saves, including the match-ender.
Despite the tough finish, this Bucknell senior class will be remembered for three Patriot League championships, a regular-season title, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and four trips to the PL championship match.
The PK session was full of drama. Boston University jumped out to a 3-1 lead and only needed to convert one of its next two to advance. But Jess Benattar made two straight saves to keep the Bison alive. Kalli Wethern, Ashley Koslowski, Riley Hayes, Laura Schmidt, and Kelley Francis all converted do-or-die shots, but after Gianna Savella scored to put the Terriers up 8-7, Braun dove to her left for a final save to end the match.
Benattar made a terrific early save on Morgan Weaver just nine minutes into the contest, but the Bison controlled the rest of the half to the tune of a 10-3 shot advantage. Reese Evans had a close-range volley turned aside by starting keeper Bridget Carr, and later from her backside Carr swatted away a Teresa Deda attempt that had taken a deflection and popped up in the air.
There was controversy with about 13 minutes to go in the half when Hayes stole the ball and broke in all alone. Carr ventured just outside the penalty area and wiped out Hayes as she took a touch around her. The Terriers keeper was given a major reprieve as only a yellow card was shown, and the resulting free kick went over the bar.
Bucknell found its breakthrough in the 67th minute, when Julia Palitti's free kick into the box was headed only as far as Hess, who popped a volley over the head of Carr for her second goal of the postseason and third of the campaign.
BUCKNELL GETS ON THE BOARD! 😤 @Bucknell_WSOC pic.twitter.com/oAWrxW2Rds
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) November 10, 2024
The Terriers threw numbers forward in the final 10 minutes, and seemingly out of nowhere the defender Weaver took a touch to her left foot and hit a perfectly placed strike off the left post and in with only 4:27 remaining.
Deda put a volley on target from the center of the area in the first overtime, but neither team found the golden goal.
Bucknell finished with a 15-10 shot advantage. Benattar made four saves, while Carr finished with seven before giving way to the taller Braun in the shootout.
Deda led all players with five shots, and the three-time Patriot League Midfielder of the Year finishes her record-setting career with 23 goals, 38 assists, and 84 points. She will graduate as Bucknell's all-time assists leader while also ranking fifth in points and 10th in goals.
Bucknell's season ends with a 12-4-3 record, while Boston University will head into the NCAA Tournament with a 6-7-7 record.
Team Stats
BOSTON
BUCKNELL
Goals
1
1
Shots
10
15
Shots on Goal
5
8
Saves
7
4
Corners
3
3
Fouls
14
14
Scoring Plays
Hess, Sydney (3)
freekick, cleared to Hess who volleyed f
66:45
Weaver, Morgan (1)
long range strike off the post
85:33
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
5
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
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