Field Hockey: Terriers fall 2-1 in double OT to Bucknell

By: Hannah Connors

For the 13th consecutive time, one goal decided the fate for both teams.

Boston University field hockey (3-3, 0-1 PL) fell to the Bucknell University Bison (2-4, 1-0 PL) Friday afternoon at Graham Field.

Bucknell clinched a hard-fought victory after double overtime in the first Patriot League matchup for both teams, marking their first win against BU in the last ten years.

It was a rocky start for the Terriers. Although they had an impressive net-to-net run, Bucknell powerhouse senior forward Lily Neilson found the back of the net on the first shot of the game, beating BU goalkeeper Kate Thomason on a penalty corner.

Opportunity for the Terriers finally arose early in the second quarter. Senior defender Payton Anderson, successfully took a shot on a penalty stroke, equalizing the score for the Terriers, leaving the game tied 1-1.

BU largely maintained momentum against the Bison throughout the rest of the quarter.
The Terriers’ strong defense kept Bucknell’s offense outside the shooting circle for the remainder of the first half.

The second half was underway, and both teams sought the go-ahead goal.

Both teams struggled to find the back of the net, as the two goaltenders stood tall, blocking off the few shots that came their direction.

In the third quarter, BU could not capitalize on ample man advantages. Bucknell received two separate green cards, giving the Terriers a two-man advantage, but they were not able to connect to beat sophomore Bison goaltender Sarah Althouse.

Ready for revenge after a difficult end to the third quarter, Bucknell tallied the first shot of the fourth quarter.

The newfound momentum for the Bison did not stop after this. Shortly following Bucknell’s shot, BU senior defender Katie Devine earned a green card, giving the Bison a scoring opportunity.

Parallel to Bucknell’s defensive fumbles in the third quarter, the Terriers were left once again with one less player after junior midfielder Martu Coulo received a yellow card leaving the Bison on a power play for the rest of the half.

Despite Bucknell’s power plays, BU remained resilient and pushed the game into overtime.

Tension rang high entering the first overtime. Bucknell entered OT on a power play but could not snatch this chance to produce a shot on the Terriers, let alone a goal.

Incredible defense by BU kept hope alive throughout the first overtime. A highlight reel dive save by goalkeeper Kate Thomason seven minutes into the overtime may have seemed like a turning point for the game; however, back-and-forth play between both teams proved that both the Terriers and the Bison desperately wanted their first conference league victory.

After ten minutes of equal play from both teams, the game was forced into a second overtime.

Three minutes in, there seemed to be no end in sight. BU and Bucknell proved to be solid matchups for one another, but a successful penalty corner opportunity for the Bison changed this. Following the corner, strong passing in the shooting circle resulted in Neilson’s second goal and secured Bucknell a victory.

After ten years of victories against the Bison, the Terriers fell to Bucknell 2-1.

The Terriers will look to bounce back on Saturday, Sept. 28 with another Patriot League matchup against Lehigh University. This matinee contest will begin at 1 p.m. in Boston at the New Balance field, available for streaming on ESPN+.