LEWISBURG, PA – Despite the first career goal from freshman Elyssa Okken (Hellertown, PA/Saucon Valley), the Monmouth University field hockey team fell to Bucknell University, 2-1, Sunday morning at Graham Field. The Bison, who evened their record to 1-1 with the victory, built a two-goal lead in the first half and held on in the second stanza to hand the Hawks a loss in their season debut.
Bucknell struck first in the 14th minute when Emma Fitzgerald sent a backhanded cross from the right side that was tipped in front and redirected past Monmouth's sophomore goalkeeper Christen Piersanti (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) inside the near post by Nicole Rupnik. The Bison built their lead with less than three minutes remaining in the opening half as Kiersten Sydnor lifted a shot over Piersanti's stacked pads to allow Bucknell to enter the break ahead by two.
With 22 minutes left in regulation, Monmouth cut the lead in half, capitalizing on a turnover in the attacking end. Rachel Konowal (Plymouth Meeting, PA/Plymouth Whitemarsh) scooped up a loose ball off a turnover by Bucknell and dribbled inside the 25-yard line where she sent a feed into the circle. The Bison's goalkeeper, Shannon Keen, attempted to clear, but rookie Gab Girardi (Roseland, NJ/West Essex) played the ball back on cage which trickled behind the keeper to the end line where Okken fired into the open cage her first career points.
Senior Cori Allen (Gibbsboro, NJ/Eastern Regional [Iowa]) recorded a team-high two shots, while Okken, Girardi, Meg Donahue (Wyomissing, PA/Berks Catholic), Julie Laszlo (Rotterdam, Netherlands/Rotterdams Montessori Lyceum), and Georgia Garden Bachop (Dunedin, New Zealand/Queen Margaret) each registered a shot.
Monmouth held a slight 7-6 advantage in shots and had six corner opportunities, compared to three chances for Bucknell.
Monmouth returns to the turf next weekend with a pair of home games. The Hawks will take on Lehigh on Friday, September 4th at 3 p.m. before hosting Villanova on Sunday, September 6th at 1 p.m.
-@MonmouthFH-
