LEWISBURG, Pa. The Villanova Wildcats (8-2) took on the Bucknell Bison (4-4) today at 5:00 PM at Graham Field, defeating the Bison 12-10 in a close neck and neck battle. Fifth year captain
Caroline Curnal led the Wildcats in goals with five, while sophomore
Sami Carey had five points coming from three goals and two assists.
Sydney Pappas followed closely by with two goals and two assists to help lead the Wildcats to victory. In addition to eight
Cate Gallagher saves, senior captain
Molly Dunphey had three ground balls and three caused turnovers to help protect the net.
It was a battle for the 'Cats since the beginning when Bucknell's Allie Boyce and Taylor McClain scored the first two goals of the game. Pappas,
Isabella Francati, and Carey quickly responded by tallying a goal a piece, taking the lead for the first time in the game with two minutes left in the first period. The score was 3-2 going into the second.
McClain, who scored a hat trick in today's match, kicked things off for the Bison in the second period by scoring a minute and a half in, tying the game at threes. Keeping up with the "neck and neck" nature of the game, Pappas and Curnal then scored for Villanova while McClain and Megan Krestinski put two on the board for Bucknell. To finish out the half, Curnal and Krestinski scored for their teams, making the score 6-6 going into the second half.
In the third period, Villanova saw goals from Curnal,
Jenna Greason, and Carey, while Bucknell saw goals from Katie Browne, and Caroline Sheridan. The Bison outscored the Wildcats 4-3 in the third period. The score with 9-9 going into the final fifteen minutes.
The fourth period of the game is what solidified a win for the Wildcats as they outscored the Bison 3-0 thanks to Curnal and Carey. It was a tough battle to the very end and despite the Bison scoring the first two of the game, the Wildcats scored the last!
For more of the Wildcats, tune in next Saturday, April 1, as they kick off league action against Denver at 1:00 PM at Denver.
NOTES: Greason scored her first goal of the season tonight against Bucknell... This is Curnal's third five goal effort of the season...The Wildcats lost the last seven games against Denver...Curnal currently has 323 draw controls...
