LEWISBURG, Pa. – In a stunning 2-1 final, the Colgate field hockey program opened the 2020-21 Patriot League slate with a victory at Bucknell.
Behind a game-winning goal from
Mari Kniezewski and an 11-save performance by
Anna Unger, head coach
April Cornell garnered the first Patriot League win of her career, effectively earning the program's first win over the Bison since 2007.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Starting out strong in the season opener, it was within the first 10:00 of the matchup that
Meghan Minturn scored the first goal of the year to lift the Raiders to a 1-0 lead. It was a score that would stand through the opening half.
The one-goal lead was much in part to junior goalkeeper
Anna Unger as she boasted six saves as the conference foes hit halftime.
As Bucknell looked to battle back, they eventually converted with a poke inside the right post to tie the game at 1-1. It wouldn't be for long though, as Kniezewski answered for the Raiders just 1:06 later to regain the lead at 2-1.
Entering the final 15:00, Colgate held onto its one-goal game and had to defend that lead. The Raiders faced five more shots by the Bison, while Unger held strong with three more saves. Colgate held strong through the final minutes to claim the 2-1 victory on the road.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Recording the first goal of the 2020-21 campaign was senior forward
Meghan Minturn. She most recently posted three goals and one assist for seven points in the 2019 campaign.
• Sophomore midfielder
Mari Kniezewski recorded the first game-winning goal of her career with her answer in the third quarter.
• Steading the Colgate defense was junior goalkeeper
Anna Unger as she recorded 11 saves on a total of 15 shots faced. It was just one save shy of her season-high of 12 in the 2019 campaign.
• The win marked the first Patriot League victory of head coach
April Cornell's career.
• The 2-1 win also snapped a 13-game losing streak against Bucknell, dating back to 2007.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 2, Bucknell 1
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate opens the season with a 1-0 Patriot League record.
• Bucknell begins the season at 0-1.
HEAD COACH APRIL CORNELL'S TAKE
"We came into today's game with a ton of energy and are so grateful for the opportunity to back on the field competing again. We played for each other and our cohesiveness showed on the field. I'm really proud of this group and so happy for our seniors who have faced a lot of adversity. I am looking forward to this team continuing to grow and get better throughout this spring."
UP NEXT
After a bye week, the Raiders host Holy Cross in the home opener. It'll be a 2 p.m. start at Tyler's Field on Sunday, March 21.
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate field hockey program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateFH and on Instagram at Colgate_FH.
