Field Hockey's Three-Game Winning Streak Ended by American's 3-2 Triumph in Battle for First Place
10/17/2025 4:56:00 PM | Field Hockey
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Bucknell (6-6, 3-2 Patriot League) rallied from down 2-0 to draw even with league-leading American (8-5, 4-0 Patriot League) but the Eagles scored the game-winning goal for the 3-2 victory on Friday afternoon to establish firm control of the race for the regular season crown and the right to host the conference tournament. A Bucknell win would have tied the Bison for first place in the conference with American and Lafayette. The defeat shattered Bucknell's three-game winning streak.Â
The Orange & Blue entered the day second nationally in converting penalty corners into goals at 30.8%. Bucknell drew ten corners to American's five but the Bison only converted one chance and the Eagles tallied twice.
Both teams, despite each other's staunch defenses, sent an artillery's worth of shots at each other's cage. Bucknell fired 18 times while American discharged 17 attempts.
Sarah Althouse, the reigning Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week, collected nine saves.
Bucknell squandered three penalty corner opportunities in the opening minutes and missed the chance for first blood. Kira Leclercq fired several chances that were turned away by American's potent defense.
American received two scoring chances early in the second quarter and the Eagles converted both.
Their first goal arrived via a penalty stroke. An infraction during a shot was called inside the shooting circle, and while the fall was embellished, it was a clear foul, and the referee whistled for the penalty stroke. Kaleigh Missimer received the assignment and sent a shot into the upper left corner. Althouse put her glove on the ball but was unable to halt its forward progress.
The Eagles added their second goal three minutes later on a broken play. The chaos allowed Lotti Sume to poke the ball past Althouse.
Bucknell regrouped at halftime, and similar to their game at Boston, immediately gained control. Nicky Punt picked a prime time for her first career goal. An offensive attack dissolved into pandemonium and Punt collected the loose ball and slammed it home. She erupted in joyous celebration and so did her teammates. The senior, sixth in Bucknell history for assists, finally obtained her long-sought El Dorado: a collegiate goal.
American received a second penalty stroke opportunity and again Missimer was tabbed for the honor. She attempted the same location as her first try but this time Althouse swatted the shot away.
A penalty corner set up Bucknell's second goal. The Bison did not execute their designed play but the sphere continued to pinball around the face of goal. Czajkowski lurked and tapped in the ball to tie the game at 2-2.
The Eagles generated three consecutive penalty corners around the 11:29 mark, and unlike Bucknell, American scored during on thrice chance. Sophie Willemse sent the ball, screeching past Althouse for the tally.
The Bison pulled Althouse with five minutes left to go but the Eagles cagily played "keep away" and drained precious minutes away with expertly executed stall tactics. The Bison never generated a serious opportunity to send the contest to overtime.Â
Bucknell remains on the road this Sunday in a non-conference match at Towson. The Bison will aim to return to above .500 with a win over their ancient rivals. The two teams played yearly from 1983-2009 but have only met four times (all Bucknell victories)Â since then.
