Women’s Soccer Extends Easton Unbeaten Streak in 1-0 Win over Lafayette

Wednesday, September 30

Easton, Pa.

7 p.m.

Bucknell University

5-5-2, 2-0-1

Lafayette

3-4-4, 2-1-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Bucknell	1	0	1
Lafayette	0	0	0

Photo by: Steven Schoenfelder

Women’s Soccer Extends Easton Unbeaten Streak in 1-0 Win over Lafayette

9/30/2026 11:07:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

EASTON, Pa. – Katie Connell scored from the penalty spot in the 12th minute, and Bucknell's resurgent defense took it from there as the Bison clipped Lafayette 1-0 on Wednesday night at Gummeson Grounds. Now 2-0-1 in Patriot League play, Bucknell moved into second place, leapfrogging the 2-1 Leopards.

Connell tallied her second goal of the season, and striker Gaby Parker also played a starring role in the offensive third. Parker drew the penalty that led to the goal, and she led all players with seven shot attempts. Meanwhile, the Bucknell defense conceded only five total shots and only three on goal, none of which severely tested goalkeeper Sarah McFarland.

Since allowing 11 goals in a four-game stretch that culminated with a 3-1 loss at Towson on Sept. 6, the Bison have conceded only once in their last four outings, and that goal came on a late penalty kick against Lehigh. Bucknell has now gone 407:25 without allowing a goal in the run of play.

Wednesday's affair was delayed by more than an hour due to a travel issue for the Bucknell team. The Bison shook off the situation and came out flying in the opening stages of the match. A persistent press led to a Leah DeLaurentiis cross that connected with the head of Presley Sutter, but Lafayette goalkeeper Catherine Apker made a point-blank save.

About four minutes later, Parker cut to her left and was tripped in the box. On Bucknell's first penalty kick attempt of the season, Connell took it quickly and powered a shot past a frozen Apker.

Cool as you like from Katie, and the Bison are up early in Easton! #rayBucknell

Watch: https://t.co/SxnpGx8Rsh @ESPN | @PatriotLeague pic.twitter.com/3nzLFhXw6N
— Bucknell Womens Soccer (@BucknellWSoccer) October 1, 2026

Bucknell's only two nervy moments came late in the first half and early in the second. The Bison were controlling most of the action throughout the first half, but Lafayette was awarded a free kick just outside the top left edge of the box in the 41st minute. Jessica Giordanella's attempt was saved on the short hop by McFarland, and Julia Palitti swept away the rebound.

Just over two minutes into the second half, the Leopards earned their first corner kick of the night, and after the ball ricocheted around in the box for a moment, a shot was eventually looped wide.

As Lafayette pushed for the tying goal, Bucknell's back line held strong and helped produce some opportunities on the counter. Parker had three good looks, two of which were saved and one that skipped wide.

"Mid-week road games in the Patriot League are always a tall task, and I was proud of how the group responded to some travel adversity and put together a strong performance against a good Lafayette team that came in 2-0 in the league," said head coach Kelly Cook. "The entire defensive unit was outstanding again, just really well organized and caused a lot of turnovers. Emma Gavin had a huge task marking the Preseason Midfielder of the Year [Nadia Zaffanella], and the whole group played lock-down defense."

Zaffanella, who has 21 career goals, including late game-winners in Lafayette's two conference wins over Colgate and American, was limited to one shot in this one.

Bucknell is now 20-1-3 in the last 24 meetings with the Leopards, including a 6-0-2 mark in the last eight. The Bison are 12-0-3 in their last 15 trips to Easton dating back to their last loss there in 1997.

The Bison return home on Saturday to face Loyola at 1 p.m. The Greyhounds tied Holy Cross 2-2 on Wednesday, and they are now 1-1-1 in Patriot League play and 1-2-8 overall. The eight draws are the most in the nation.