Women’s Soccer Cruises to 3-0 Win over UMBC

Thursday, August 22

Lewisburg, Pa.

7 p.m.

Bucknell University

2-0-1

UMBC

0-2

UMBC

Bucknell

Photo by: Lianne Garrahan

8/22/2024 9:54:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Henna Andican, Teresa Deda, and Katie Connell all scored their second goals of the young season, and the Bucknell women's soccer team turned in a complete performance at both ends of the field in a 3-0 blanking of UMBC on Thursday night at Emmitt Field. The Bison improved to 2-0-1 on the season heading into a highly anticipated home matchup with No. 7 Pittsburgh on Sunday.

For the second time this season, Andican scored in the first three minutes of a game. She struck at the 1:51 mark on opening night against La Salle, and she needed all of 2:46 to get the Bison on the board in this one. Kelley Francis played Andican into the left edge of the area, and Andican cut back and snuck a shot inside the far post for her 10th career goal.

Bucknell outshot UMBC 15-2 in a one-sided first half, as starting goalkeeper Jess Benattar was not called upon for a save. The lead was just one, however, until Deda and Connell added insurance markers on strikes from outside the box in the second half.

Just over six minutes into the period, Deda collected a service from Katie Schiano, and her turning shot took an immediate deflection, catching goalkeeper Abbey Cowles on the wrong foot as the ball sailed into the right side of the goal.

In the 80th minute, center back Laura Schmidt intervened on a UMBC clearing attempt, and then Sydney Hess passed to Connell in space in the center of the park. Connell took a few touches and unleashed a rocket from about 28 yards out that beat the leaping goalkeeper.

How about this rocket from the @PatriotLeague Rookie of the Week Katie Connell! Her second of the year put the finishing touches on tonight's convincing victory. #rayBucknell #PLTop3 @ESPN | @PatriotLeagueHQ pic.twitter.com/9UGSZ1dYcp
— Bucknell Women's Soccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) August 23, 2024

Dylan Zednik played the second half in goal and made three saves, while Cowles finished with five for the Retrievers (0-2). Bucknell outshot UMBC 26-8 and led 8-3 in corner kicks. All three of UMBC's corners came in one flurry midway through the second half, and Zednik made a good save on Misa Kasparcova on the third attempt.

Deda now has 15 career goals, and her assist on Andican's goal was the 31st of her career. She needs four more to match Hall-of-Famer Lisa Gibbons' school record, which has been in the books for 30 years. Schiano now has an assist in all three games this season, giving her a team-high three on the season.

"This was our third game and really the first time this season that we put together a full 90 minutes," said head coach Kelly Cook. "I was happy with the second half and the way the group kept their foot on the pedal after giving up goals in the second half in the first two games. The two goalkeepers and the back line had a strong night, and it was nice to get our first shutout of the year. We've got a great opponent coming up next, and we are excited for the challenge."

A large crowd is expected when Bucknell hosts No. 7 Pitt on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers will be looking to bounce back after suffering a 2-1 upset loss at home to Buffalo on Thursday, despite a 28-10 shot advantage.

Postgame Interviews: