Thursday, September 12
Villanova, Pa.
4 p.m.
Bucknell University
4-2-1, 0-0-0
1
at
0
Villanova
3-4-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Bucknell
1
0
1
Villanova
0
0
0
Benattar’s PK Save Highlights Women's Soccer's Strong Defensive Effort in 1-0 Win at Villanova
9/12/2024 7:11:00 PM | Women's Soccer
VILLANOVA, Pa. – Teresa Deda scored her fourth goal of the season and Jess Benattar made a critical save on a second-half penalty kick on the way to her first career solo shutout as the Bucknell women's soccer team downed Villanova 1-0 on Thursday at Higgins Soccer Complex.
The Bison won their second straight, both on the road in the Philadelphia area, to improve to 4-2-1 on the season. Deda's goal came in the 35th minute, and then the defense stood tall to make it hold up. Benattar made a career-high six saves, but other than the controversial PK in the 67th minute, all of Villanova's cleanest chances came from outside the box.
The back four of Katie Schiano, Laura Schmidt, Julia Palitti, and Meghan White, along with defensive center midfielder Sydney Hess, won ball after ball in the back as Villanova (3-4) was held to 12 total shots despite holding 62 percent of the possession.
"Villanova is a very strong team, and I thought the team's approach to a mid-week game on the road was excellent," said head coach Kelly Cook. "Our back line, and really the defensive play across the entire team, was exceptional. When you score in the first half against a dangerous offensive team, that's a long time to hold the lead. I thought we still kept our aggressive mindset and attacked when appropriate, but we defended as a unit and it was great to get the shutout."
Villanova had a bit more of the ball throughout the first half, but the Bison started to generate some chances just after the half-hour mark. Kalli Wethern centered a pass to Reese Evans for a dangerous redirect that was deflected out for a corner kick. Deda put a shot on goal in the 34th minute, and then moments later she found gold out of a broken play.
Deda tried to play a pass out wide to her right but it was blocked by a defender. She regained possession in a big crowd, took two touches away from goal, pivoted into space, and unleashed a rocket into the bottom left corner.
It was Deda's team-leading fourth goal of the season to go with three assists. She now has 66 career points, moving her within one of Jennifer Margolis for eighth on Bucknell's career list.
"She just has that knack for turning a half chance into a full chance," said Cook of Deda. "Her ability to make the most of those slim opportunities sets her apart."
The Bison managed the game well into the 67th minute when they caught some misfortune. A Villanova corner kick was successfully cleared away, but as the ball reached midfield the referee stopped play for a VAR check of a possible hand ball in the box. After a lengthy delay and a review via a tablet on the Villanova bench, the penalty was awarded.
Benattar came to the rescue, however, diving to her left and reaching back with her right hand to palm aside Gabby Koluch's spot kick. Benattar made another tricky save on a hard shot from distance by Koluch in the 88th minute, and the Bison ended the game with Deda dribbling out the clock in the center of the field.
The Wildcats, whose two previous losses came against No. 1 Florida State and Wake Forest, finished with a 12-8 shot advantage. Deda attempted a match-high five shots, three of which were on frame. Hannah Dickinson tallied two saves for Villanova.
This was Bucknell's first win over Villanova in seven all-time meetings. The Bison had been 0-4-2 against the Wildcats, including a 1-1 draw in Lewisburg last season.
Bucknell hits the road again on Sunday to face Fairleigh Dickinson. That will be the team's final non-conference game before starting league play at home against Colgate on Sept. 21.
The Bison won their second straight, both on the road in the Philadelphia area, to improve to 4-2-1 on the season. Deda's goal came in the 35th minute, and then the defense stood tall to make it hold up. Benattar made a career-high six saves, but other than the controversial PK in the 67th minute, all of Villanova's cleanest chances came from outside the box.
The back four of Katie Schiano, Laura Schmidt, Julia Palitti, and Meghan White, along with defensive center midfielder Sydney Hess, won ball after ball in the back as Villanova (3-4) was held to 12 total shots despite holding 62 percent of the possession.
"Villanova is a very strong team, and I thought the team's approach to a mid-week game on the road was excellent," said head coach Kelly Cook. "Our back line, and really the defensive play across the entire team, was exceptional. When you score in the first half against a dangerous offensive team, that's a long time to hold the lead. I thought we still kept our aggressive mindset and attacked when appropriate, but we defended as a unit and it was great to get the shutout."
Villanova had a bit more of the ball throughout the first half, but the Bison started to generate some chances just after the half-hour mark. Kalli Wethern centered a pass to Reese Evans for a dangerous redirect that was deflected out for a corner kick. Deda put a shot on goal in the 34th minute, and then moments later she found gold out of a broken play.
Deda tried to play a pass out wide to her right but it was blocked by a defender. She regained possession in a big crowd, took two touches away from goal, pivoted into space, and unleashed a rocket into the bottom left corner.
Just an incredible bit of skill here by Teresa Deda to turn a broken play into a highlight reel goal! #rayBucknell@PatriotLeagueHQ | #PLTop3 pic.twitter.com/kIn56Dsny9
— Bucknell Women's Soccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) September 12, 2024
It was Deda's team-leading fourth goal of the season to go with three assists. She now has 66 career points, moving her within one of Jennifer Margolis for eighth on Bucknell's career list.
"She just has that knack for turning a half chance into a full chance," said Cook of Deda. "Her ability to make the most of those slim opportunities sets her apart."
The Bison managed the game well into the 67th minute when they caught some misfortune. A Villanova corner kick was successfully cleared away, but as the ball reached midfield the referee stopped play for a VAR check of a possible hand ball in the box. After a lengthy delay and a review via a tablet on the Villanova bench, the penalty was awarded.
Benattar came to the rescue, however, diving to her left and reaching back with her right hand to palm aside Gabby Koluch's spot kick. Benattar made another tricky save on a hard shot from distance by Koluch in the 88th minute, and the Bison ended the game with Deda dribbling out the clock in the center of the field.
Here's a look at the brilliant Jess Benattar PK save! #rayBucknell @PatriotLeagueHQ | #PLTop3 pic.twitter.com/3Bmw9sZHog
— Bucknell Women's Soccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) September 12, 2024
The Wildcats, whose two previous losses came against No. 1 Florida State and Wake Forest, finished with a 12-8 shot advantage. Deda attempted a match-high five shots, three of which were on frame. Hannah Dickinson tallied two saves for Villanova.
This was Bucknell's first win over Villanova in seven all-time meetings. The Bison had been 0-4-2 against the Wildcats, including a 1-1 draw in Lewisburg last season.
Bucknell hits the road again on Sunday to face Fairleigh Dickinson. That will be the team's final non-conference game before starting league play at home against Colgate on Sept. 21.
Team Stats
BUCK
NOVA
Goals
1
0
Shots
8
12
Shots on Goal
3
6
Saves
6
2
Corners
1
5
Fouls
5
7
Scoring Plays
Teresa Deda (4)
GOAL by BUCK Deda, Teresa.
34:12
Game Leaders
Shots
5
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
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