Thursday, November 7
Lewisburg, Pa.
7 p.m.
Bucknell University
12-4-2
4
vs
0
Loyola (PL Semifinals)
8-6-5
1
2
F
Loyola
0
0
0
Bucknell
2
2
4
Photo by: Lauren Medeiros
Women's Soccer Dominates in 4-0 Victory Over Loyola in Patriot League Semifinal; Returns to Fourth Consecutive PL Championship
11/7/2024 11:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell women's soccer team left no questions about returning to its fourth consecutive Patriot League Championship with a dominant 4-0 victory over Loyola in a Patriot League Tournament semifinal match on Thursday night at Emmitt Field. Katie Connell, Sydney Hess, Paige Temple, and Teresa Deda all found the back of the net, with Connell, Temple, and Deda all providing an assist as well.
The Bison now host No. 2 Boston University in the Patriot League championship match, which is a rematch of the 2021 Patriot League final where the Bison were victorious with a 1-0 result. The Bison also downed the Terriers in the semifinals in each of the last two seasons at Emmitt Field. Boston University defeated Army on Thursday night in overtime to advance to the championship.
Bucknell is 12-4-2 and has won its last three matches. Its last loss came on the road at Boston where the Terriers defeated the Bison 1-0.
It was a historic night at Emmitt Field as the Bison scored four goals for the first time ever in a postseason match. The Bison previously scored three goals in postseason matches on three different occasions.
Jess Benattar was forced to make an early save on two-time Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Baylee DeSmit. DeSmit drove into the box from the flank, firing a low shot on Benattar's net just six minutes in.
The Greyhounds (8-6-5) held the bulk of possession over the first ten minutes of the match, but Bucknell's defense held Loyola in check over the first 45 minutes. The Bison did not allow another shot on target in the half after DeSmit's early opportunity.
Deda, the three-time Patriot League Midfielder of the Year, flipped the momentum in the 14th minute with Bucknell's first big chance of the match, firing a shot from distance that sailed just over the crossbar.
The Bison found their momentum quickly, taking a 1-0 lead just a minute later. Meghan White clipped in a pass to Temple who took a great first touch at her feet with space ahead. Temple found a streaking Connell making a diagonal run into the box who made a slick touch past the defender and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner for her fifth career goal.
Hess's second goal of the season doubled the Bison lead 35 minutes into the match. Hess came flying into the back post on a corner kick by Deda with a powerful header into the back of the net. Deda extended her career assists record with the Bison, improving to 38 career assists. Her 38 assists are fourth all-time in the Patriot League and fourth-best among all active Division I players.
The Bison came out firing in the second half, looking for a third goal to put the match away. Kelley Francis looked to score early, driving into the box from the flank in the 49th minute. Loyola goalkeeper Brigid Mulholland hit the ground to make a great save, and the Greyhounds scattered the rebound away from danger.
Just a minute later, Katie Schiano curled in a big ball into the box to Temple. With only a defender to beat, Temple took a touch across her body and quickly volleyed home Bucknell's third goal of the night.
The Bison linked up for another beautiful goal in the 60th minute. It was Deda involved in another Bison goal as the midfielder stretched a pass out wide to Connell. Connell left her defender behind with a great move to the endline before chipping a pass across goal. The ball found the foot of Deda who only needed one touch in a flurry of defenders to find the back of the net.
The Bison were relentless for the 90 minutes, out-shooting the Greyhounds 23-13. The Bison had just seven shots on target but had many near misses to keep Mulholland on her toes.
Benattar made two more saves in the second half coming in the 50th and 78th minutes. DeSmit had six shots in the match, but just the one early chance ended up on frame.
The Bison will host Boston University in the Patriot League Championship at Emmitt Field on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network
The Bison now host No. 2 Boston University in the Patriot League championship match, which is a rematch of the 2021 Patriot League final where the Bison were victorious with a 1-0 result. The Bison also downed the Terriers in the semifinals in each of the last two seasons at Emmitt Field. Boston University defeated Army on Thursday night in overtime to advance to the championship.
Bucknell is 12-4-2 and has won its last three matches. Its last loss came on the road at Boston where the Terriers defeated the Bison 1-0.
It was a historic night at Emmitt Field as the Bison scored four goals for the first time ever in a postseason match. The Bison previously scored three goals in postseason matches on three different occasions.
Jess Benattar was forced to make an early save on two-time Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Baylee DeSmit. DeSmit drove into the box from the flank, firing a low shot on Benattar's net just six minutes in.
The Greyhounds (8-6-5) held the bulk of possession over the first ten minutes of the match, but Bucknell's defense held Loyola in check over the first 45 minutes. The Bison did not allow another shot on target in the half after DeSmit's early opportunity.
Deda, the three-time Patriot League Midfielder of the Year, flipped the momentum in the 14th minute with Bucknell's first big chance of the match, firing a shot from distance that sailed just over the crossbar.
The Bison found their momentum quickly, taking a 1-0 lead just a minute later. Meghan White clipped in a pass to Temple who took a great first touch at her feet with space ahead. Temple found a streaking Connell making a diagonal run into the box who made a slick touch past the defender and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner for her fifth career goal.
Hess's second goal of the season doubled the Bison lead 35 minutes into the match. Hess came flying into the back post on a corner kick by Deda with a powerful header into the back of the net. Deda extended her career assists record with the Bison, improving to 38 career assists. Her 38 assists are fourth all-time in the Patriot League and fourth-best among all active Division I players.
The Bison came out firing in the second half, looking for a third goal to put the match away. Kelley Francis looked to score early, driving into the box from the flank in the 49th minute. Loyola goalkeeper Brigid Mulholland hit the ground to make a great save, and the Greyhounds scattered the rebound away from danger.
Just a minute later, Katie Schiano curled in a big ball into the box to Temple. With only a defender to beat, Temple took a touch across her body and quickly volleyed home Bucknell's third goal of the night.
The Bison linked up for another beautiful goal in the 60th minute. It was Deda involved in another Bison goal as the midfielder stretched a pass out wide to Connell. Connell left her defender behind with a great move to the endline before chipping a pass across goal. The ball found the foot of Deda who only needed one touch in a flurry of defenders to find the back of the net.
Here are the goals that sent us to the Patriot League Championship! #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/tsgmjpnZiq
— Bucknell Women's Soccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) November 8, 2024
The Bison were relentless for the 90 minutes, out-shooting the Greyhounds 23-13. The Bison had just seven shots on target but had many near misses to keep Mulholland on her toes.
Benattar made two more saves in the second half coming in the 50th and 78th minutes. DeSmit had six shots in the match, but just the one early chance ended up on frame.
The Bison will host Boston University in the Patriot League Championship at Emmitt Field on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network
Team Stats
LOYOLA
BUCKNELL
Goals
0
4
Shots
13
23
Shots on Goal
3
7
Saves
3
3
Corners
3
3
Fouls
12
9
Scoring Plays
Connell, Katie
Assisted By: Temple, Paige
GOAL by BUCKNELL Connell, Katie (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Temple, Paige.
14:12
Hess, Sydney
Assisted By: Deda, Teresa
Corner kick
34:04
Temple, Paige
Assisted By: Schiano, Katie
GOAL by BUCKNELL Temple, Paige, Assist by Schiano, Katie.
49:28
Deda, Teresa
Assisted By: Connell, Katie
Cross from right to left
59:36
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
5
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
5
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's SoccerF/M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's SoccerIn The Herd: First Practice Review And Tuana Coskun Feature
Wednesday, September 24
In The Herd: First Practice Review And Ruot Bijiek Feature
Tuesday, September 23
(Coaches Camera) Salem Men's Water Polo Vs. Gannon (9/21/25)
Monday, September 22
Salem Men's Water Polo Vs. Gannon (9/21/25)
Monday, September 22