Timely Goals Push Field Hockey Past Bucknell, 4-2
LEWISBURG, Pa.— The Cornell field hockey team came alive in the third quarter Sunday as the Big Red took down Bucknell, 4-2.
While the game began with a Bison-dominated first half, a mix of perfect timing and a fiery Big Red offense made all the difference in the Cornell victory.
Bucknell maintained control for the majority of the first half, keeping the ball in Cornell’s end of the field as it rattled off four shots. The Big Red just managed one— its least in a half so far this season.
Bucknell’s Emily Doyle netted Bucknell’s first goal early in the second quarter when she found a pass from Kari Melberger. From there, the Bison continued to push, halting any Cornell scoring opportunities.
The third quarter opened to a similar tune of the Bison keeping the ball in Cornell territory, but that all changed with three minutes left in the penultimate quarter.
Olivia Friedberg drove towards the net and was tripped hard by the Bucknell goalkeeper to award a Big Red penalty stroke. Cornell’s specialist in the department, Julia Darmo, took the shot to connect for her second goal of the year and second via penalty stroke.
Less than a minute later the Big Red drew its second penalty corner of the day, this one leading to Caroline Ramsey’s 11th goal of the season with assists by Kate MacGillis and Bridget Mahoney.
As time expired in the Big Red’s opportunistic third quarter, the Big Red were awarded another penalty corner. Like the one before, Kate MacGillis and Bridget Mahoney inserted and held the ball for Caroline Ramsey’s 12th goal of season and second of the day.
Bucknell was awarded a penalty stroke oif its own at 3:23 in the fourth quarter, but the shot was no match for Aerin Park, who recorded eight saves on the day.
Bucknell lined up for a penalty corner with under two minutes left in the game and scored as the original shot bounced off the kicker of Aerin Park where Noor Kaur was conveniently located to knock the ball in on a diving attempt. The Bison then pulled its goalie with two minutes left before it gave up another penalty corner goal as Caroline Ramsey scored once again— this time having just four pad-less defenders to worry about as she secured the hat-trick.
The Big Red play for a national audience next as it visits Princeton on Friday, Oct. 15 at 4:00 p.m. where the game will be featured on ESPNU.
