Women's Soccer Defeats St. Joseph's 2-0 in Thursday Night Clash

Thursday, September 5

Philadelphia, Pa.

7 p.m.

Bucknell University

3-2-1

Saint Joseph's

4-2

Bucknell

Saint Joseph's

Photo by: Lianne Garrahan

Women's Soccer Defeats St. Joseph's 2-0 in Thursday Night Clash

9/5/2024 9:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.- The lights were bright in Philadephia on Thursday night and so was the Bucknell offense. The Bison outshot the home team St. Joseph's 21-4 en route to a 2-0 shutout. Bucknell received scores from Reese Evans and Katie Connell as the Orange & Blue improved to 3-2-1 while the Hawks fell to 4-2. It was a decisive response by the Bison to halt the team's two-game losing streak.

"I was proud of the whole team tonight," said Bucknell head coach Kelly Cook. "Coming off two losses, it was great to see the group come out on the road and play a strong 90 minutes. Getting an early goal was huge. Reese Evans had a great game and it was nice to see her get one tonight. Then after we got the second goal, I was happy that we were able to keep our foot on the pedal. We kept creating chances and held the shutout against a good team."

Bucknell kept the pressure on the hometown Hawks from the opening kick and were rewarded with an early score in the 10th minute. Teresa Deda collected a loose ball in the upper right half of the field and sent in a beautiful cross to a waiting Evans. The Bison player, inserted into the starting lineup, positioned herself perfectly in front of the goal. The perfect pass arrived and Evans left the goalkeeper with no chance at stopping her header. The ball connected with the net and Bucknell had the early advantage.

Evans converts a header after a pitch-perfect Deda pass!

1-0 Bison!#rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/4ZRaihYaMH
— Bucknell Women's Soccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) September 5, 2024

The Bison recorded the insurance goal in the 54th minute. Evans played a supporting role in the second tally. She played the through ball to spring Connell on an expertly timed run on the breakaway. Connell gathered the ball and fired towards goal. The St. Joseph's goalkeeper blocked the shot but Connell displaying basketball instincts instantly went for the rebound. She controlled the spinning sphere and squeezed it past the goalie. Bucknell had the 2-0 lead.

Give her a basketball scholarship! Connell collects the rebound and scores! #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/yIx3RRf18o
— Bucknell Women's Soccer (@Bucknell_WSOC) September 6, 2024

The Orange & Blue did not tally another score but the Bison prevented any late comeback by outshooting the Hawks 10-0 over the final 36 minutes. St. Joseph's simply could not generate any offensive presence against Bucknell's suffocating defense. The clock ran out with a passage of kicks back and forth.

Bucknell returns to action on Sept. 12 when the Bison travel back to Philly to play Villanova.