Women’s Soccer Falls 1-0 at Eastern Washington on Late Goal

Sunday, August 16

Cheney, Wash.

4 p.m. ET | 1 p.m. PT

Bucknell University

1-1-0, 0-0-0

Eastern Washington

2-0-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Bucknell	0	0	0
Eastern Wash.	0	1	1

Photo by: Ryan Brennecke

Women’s Soccer Falls 1-0 at Eastern Washington on Late Goal

8/16/2026 7:04:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

CHENEY, Wash. – The Bucknell women's soccer team settled for a 1-1 season-opening western road trip after a 1-0 loss to Eastern Washington on Sunday at EWU Sports and Recreation Field. The Bison dominated the match for long stretches, but they hit the woodwork three times, forced goalkeeper Payton Hyde into nine saves, and piled up 21 total shots, only to see Mia Miconi score the game-winner in the 81st minute.

"I thought we had the better of play in the second half, so to walk away without a result is tough," said head coach Kelly Cook. "Credit to Eastern Washington, we thought coming in that this would likely be a one-goal game, and they found the one goal. We are generating plenty of opportunities, which is a good sign, but at the end of the day we have to find goals. There are a ton of positives to take back with us. This trip was well worth it, it was a fantastic opportunity for the whole group on and off the field."

The harsh loss put a damper on a strong opening week, which started with a 1-0 win over defending Big Sky champion Montana on Thursday. Freshman Ingrid Murphy scored the goal in that game, and she was a menace again at Eastern Washington. She led all players with five shot attempts, including two in the second half that struck the frame.

Gaby Parker nearly gave the Bison a lead just five minutes into the match, but her rising attempt firmly struck the crossbar. Later in the first half, Parker found space in the right side of the area and forced Hyde into a tough save.

The Eagles had a few bright moments early in the second period, and goalkeeper Sara McFarland made a couple of brave interventions to break up through balls. The Bison then sent waves of pressure in the final half-hour. Murphy skimmed the crossbar in the 68th minute, and moments later Dani Howard's cross from the right side created chaos in the box, but ultimately a loose ball popped right into the Hyde's hands.

In the 77th minute, Parker pulled back a chipped pass to Murphy, whose volley hit the inside of the right post. An Eagles defender swept the ball away momentarily, and then Presley Sutter's follow-up attempt went wide. Murphy took another hard blast from the top of the box in the 80th minute, but it was palmed over by Hyde.

The Bison couldn't convert on the ensuing corner kick, and then Eastern Washington turned a long ball down the right flank into the winning goal. The lead pass checked up a bit, which allowed Miconi to gather possession, and she broke into the box and fired a shot from the top right corner of the area just under the crossbar. It was Miconi's second goal in as many games for the Eagles, who are now 2-0 on the season.

Hyde had to make another tricky save on Sutter's hard shot in the 86th minute, and Murphy sent one final shot on goal from distance in the final five seconds.

Bucknell finished with a 21-11 edge in total shots and a 9-2 margin in shots on goal. The Bison led 7-1 in corner kicks.

Next up is the home opener on Thursday against Mount St. Mary's at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium. The Bison women kick off at 4 p.m., followed by the men's team's season opener against Hofstra at 7:30 p.m.