Wednesday, September 25
Germantown, Md. (Maryland SoccerPlex)
4 p.m.
Bucknell University
6-2-2, 2-0-0
3
at
1
American
4-3-1, 0-2-0
1
2
F
Bucknell
1
2
3
American
1
0
1
Photo by: Lianne Garrahan
Francis Scores Late Game-Winner, Deda Equals Assist Mark as Women’s Soccer Rallies Past American 3-1
9/25/2024 7:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BOYDS, Md. – Kelley Francis broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 77th minute, Katie Connell added an insurance marker not long after, and Teresa Deda set up all three goals to become Bucknell's all-time assist leader in a come-from-behind 3-1 win at American on Wednesday at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
Reese Evans also scored for the Bison soon after they had fallen behind just after the opening touch of the match. Bucknell improved to 6-2-2 overall and 2-0 in the Patriot League. American (4-2-1, 0-2) has now dropped two straight to league frontrunners Army and Bucknell on the heels of a four-game winning streak that included defeats of Maryland and Richmond.
Deda piled up 29 assists in her first three seasons at Bucknell, and as her career has progressed she has found her own scoring touch with nine goals last season and six in the first nine games this season. She had three helpers in 2024 until Wednesday, when she doubled that total to jump into the record books.
Deda now has 35 career assists, matching Hall-of-Famer Lisa Gibbons' school record that has stood since 1994. Deda also moved into a tie for fifth place on the Patriot League's all-time assists chart.
"It was great to see 'T' equal Lisa Gibbons' long-standing record with an incredible performance today," said head coach Kelly Cook. "She just has that special ability to impact a game and make that final pass. She draws so much attention and she knows she is on everyone's scouting reports, but she still finds ways to score goals and create for others with her fantastic vision."
The Bison needed all three after the Eagles stunned them with an early goal. Bucknell entered the game riding a streak of four straight shutouts, but American put one on the board after only 2:20 of play. Izzy Kadzban's low shot was saved by Jess Benattar and then momentarily bobbled. Benattar appeared to get a hand back on the ball, but Jennifer McGuire pulled it away and tapped it into the empty net.
The Bison had been struggling to generate corner kicks in their first nine games, but they earned eight in the first half alone and cashed in on their first try. Deda's inswinger was nodded in at the near post by Evans for her second goal of the season.
Addison Roemer, American's freshman goalkeeper, made a handful of tough saves to keep it a 1-1 game at the half. Deda found space at the top of the box but saw her shot saved in the 24th minute. Evans nearly had another in the 29th minute on a free kick from a dangerous spot just outside the box, but Roemer made a diving save on her bending shot to the left post.
Roemer's best save of the day came with about five minutes left in the half, a close-range block on a well-taken volley by Kalli Wethern off a service from Katie Schiano.
Roemer had to tip Deda's lefty attempt over the bar early in the second half, and then just before the hour mark Deda found Schiano making a run behind the back line, but Schiano's shot skipped inches wide of the right post.
Bucknell found itself pinned back for about a 15-minute stretch later in the second half, but a magical through ball from Deda to Francis broke the deadlock with 13:09 to play. Deda was dribbling laterally all the way out at the center circle when she swung a perfect left-footed pass through four white shirts as Francis made a run into the box. Francis touched the ball around the charging keeper and slotted a shot past the last defender and into the far side netting for a 2-1 lead.
The insurance marker came five minutes later when Deda barged though center and laid off a pass to Connell to her right. Connell faced up a defender, switched to her left foot, and chipped a shot into the top left corner for her fourth goal of the season.
American had not had many quality chances since the goal in the third minute, but after Benattar had to leave with an injury with 7:34 remaining, Evans cleared a shot off the goal line and backup keeper Dylan Zednik made an outstanding diving save on a low shot by Avery Klingensmith to keep it a 3-1 game.
"We haven't given up many early goals like that, so to come back and find three goals and take the win on the road was a very impressive performance," said Cook. "We had impressive performances across the board, and the defensive play in the back was solid once again. It was nice to score off a set piece, that's something we have been working on in training, and then the two goals in the run of play late in the game were great goals."
Bucknell outshot American 23-13 and finished with an 11-3 edge in corner kicks. Benattar (3) and Zednik (1) combined for four saves for the Bison, while Roemer made eight for the Eagles.
The Bison extended their unbeaten streak over American to 11 (10-0-1), although the Eagles snapped a four-game scoreless drought against Bucknell.
Next up for the Bison is a home date with Army West Point on Saturday at 1 p.m. This is a rematch of the last two Patriot League Tournament finals, both won by Bucknell in penalty kicks. It will be Youth Soccer Day at Emmitt Field, as all kids who come to the game in their soccer jersey will receive a free autographed team poster.
Reese Evans also scored for the Bison soon after they had fallen behind just after the opening touch of the match. Bucknell improved to 6-2-2 overall and 2-0 in the Patriot League. American (4-2-1, 0-2) has now dropped two straight to league frontrunners Army and Bucknell on the heels of a four-game winning streak that included defeats of Maryland and Richmond.
Deda piled up 29 assists in her first three seasons at Bucknell, and as her career has progressed she has found her own scoring touch with nine goals last season and six in the first nine games this season. She had three helpers in 2024 until Wednesday, when she doubled that total to jump into the record books.
Deda now has 35 career assists, matching Hall-of-Famer Lisa Gibbons' school record that has stood since 1994. Deda also moved into a tie for fifth place on the Patriot League's all-time assists chart.
"It was great to see 'T' equal Lisa Gibbons' long-standing record with an incredible performance today," said head coach Kelly Cook. "She just has that special ability to impact a game and make that final pass. She draws so much attention and she knows she is on everyone's scouting reports, but she still finds ways to score goals and create for others with her fantastic vision."
Teresa Deda assisted on ALL THREE goals today at American. With 35 career assists she has tied the Bucknell career record originally set by Hall-of-Famer Lisa Gibbons 30 years ago! 👏👏 CONGRATS T! #rayBucknell @NCAASoccer | @PatriotLeagueHQ pic.twitter.com/Y04kymEXdh
— Bucknell Women's Soccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) September 25, 2024
The Bison needed all three after the Eagles stunned them with an early goal. Bucknell entered the game riding a streak of four straight shutouts, but American put one on the board after only 2:20 of play. Izzy Kadzban's low shot was saved by Jess Benattar and then momentarily bobbled. Benattar appeared to get a hand back on the ball, but Jennifer McGuire pulled it away and tapped it into the empty net.
The Bison had been struggling to generate corner kicks in their first nine games, but they earned eight in the first half alone and cashed in on their first try. Deda's inswinger was nodded in at the near post by Evans for her second goal of the season.
Addison Roemer, American's freshman goalkeeper, made a handful of tough saves to keep it a 1-1 game at the half. Deda found space at the top of the box but saw her shot saved in the 24th minute. Evans nearly had another in the 29th minute on a free kick from a dangerous spot just outside the box, but Roemer made a diving save on her bending shot to the left post.
Roemer's best save of the day came with about five minutes left in the half, a close-range block on a well-taken volley by Kalli Wethern off a service from Katie Schiano.
Roemer had to tip Deda's lefty attempt over the bar early in the second half, and then just before the hour mark Deda found Schiano making a run behind the back line, but Schiano's shot skipped inches wide of the right post.
Bucknell found itself pinned back for about a 15-minute stretch later in the second half, but a magical through ball from Deda to Francis broke the deadlock with 13:09 to play. Deda was dribbling laterally all the way out at the center circle when she swung a perfect left-footed pass through four white shirts as Francis made a run into the box. Francis touched the ball around the charging keeper and slotted a shot past the last defender and into the far side netting for a 2-1 lead.
Here's the Kelley Francis go-ahead goal! Sublime through ball from Teresa Deda set it up. #rayBucknell
— Bucknell Women's Soccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) September 25, 2024
Watch: https://t.co/J1suhixTdg@PatriotLeagueHQ | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/zXiwzmVrUe
The insurance marker came five minutes later when Deda barged though center and laid off a pass to Connell to her right. Connell faced up a defender, switched to her left foot, and chipped a shot into the top left corner for her fourth goal of the season.
American had not had many quality chances since the goal in the third minute, but after Benattar had to leave with an injury with 7:34 remaining, Evans cleared a shot off the goal line and backup keeper Dylan Zednik made an outstanding diving save on a low shot by Avery Klingensmith to keep it a 3-1 game.
"We haven't given up many early goals like that, so to come back and find three goals and take the win on the road was a very impressive performance," said Cook. "We had impressive performances across the board, and the defensive play in the back was solid once again. It was nice to score off a set piece, that's something we have been working on in training, and then the two goals in the run of play late in the game were great goals."
Bucknell outshot American 23-13 and finished with an 11-3 edge in corner kicks. Benattar (3) and Zednik (1) combined for four saves for the Bison, while Roemer made eight for the Eagles.
The Bison extended their unbeaten streak over American to 11 (10-0-1), although the Eagles snapped a four-game scoreless drought against Bucknell.
Next up for the Bison is a home date with Army West Point on Saturday at 1 p.m. This is a rematch of the last two Patriot League Tournament finals, both won by Bucknell in penalty kicks. It will be Youth Soccer Day at Emmitt Field, as all kids who come to the game in their soccer jersey will receive a free autographed team poster.
Team Stats
BISON
EAGLES
Goals
3
1
Shots
23
13
Shots on Goal
11
6
Saves
4
8
Corners
11
3
Fouls
8
7
Scoring Plays
Jennifer McGuire (2)
Assisted By: Izzy Kadzban
GOAL by EAGLES McGuire, Jennifer Assist by Kadzban, Izzy.
02:20
Reese Evans (2)
Assisted By: Teresa Deda
GOAL by BISON Evans, Reese Assist by Deda, Teresa.
11:56
Kelley Francis (1)
Assisted By: Teresa Deda
GOAL by BISON Francis, Kelley Assist by Deda, Teresa.
76:49
Katie Connell (4)
Assisted By: Teresa Deda
GOAL by BISON Connell, Katie Assist by Deda, Teresa.
81:57
Game Leaders
Shots
8
SOG
5
Goals
0
Assists
3
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's SoccerF/M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
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