Bucknell University Posts Wins Against Mercyhurst University, 14-7, and Division III No. 9 Grove City College, 15-8
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Hallie Kennan (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) and Julianne Valdes (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) tallied five goals and five assists apiece as Bucknell University swept a pair of games from league foe Mercyhurst University and host/Division III No. 9-ranked/non-league opponent Grove City College. The Bison beat the Lakers by a 14-7 margin to open the day and then just a couple hours later upended the host Wolverines, 15-8.
Bucknell’s (12-18, 2-3 CWPA Southern Division) 15 goals vs. Grove City marked its most since the third game of the season, a 16-8 victory over George Washington University.
Kennan was strong in the opener vs. Mercyhurst with three goals and four assists, while Valdes added three goals and a pair of assists. Kennan’s seven points were the most by a Bison in a game this year and equaled her career high. Kennan scored two more goals and dished out an assist against Grove City, while Valdes had two goals and three assists in the contest.
The Bison led Mercyhurst 6-3 at halftime, but outscored the Lakers 6-2 in the third quarter to take a commanding seven-goal lead. Krystle Morgan (Rowland Heights, Calif./Rosary), Taylor Barnett (Houston, Texas/Rosary) and Ariel Frankeny (Fountain Valley, Calif./Fountain Valley) added two goals apiece as Bucknell snapped a 10-game losing streak.
Barnett came back with a team-high four goals in the nightcap, while Morgan added three. Barbara Peterson (Palo Alto, Calif./Castilleja) tallied two goals opposite the Wolverines, rounding out the list of 10 multi-goal outings by Bucknell players on Saturday. Six different players scored at least two goals in a game with Kennan, Valdes, Morgan and Barnett doing it in both contests.
Bucknell jumped out to an early lead against Grove City, leading 5-1 after one quarter of play. The Bison led by nine goals at the end of three periods.
Rena Heim (Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin) recorded 10 saves against Mercyhurst and three more against Grove City. Brittany Connell (Montebello, Calif./Montebello) played the final quarter against the Wolverines and posted one save.
Bucknell was 6-for-9 on six-on-five opportunities in the nightcap and 9-for-15 overall in the two contests.
Grove City (9-7) and Mercyhurst (5-12) also played on Saturday and the host Wolverines came away with a 9-4 victory.
Release courtesy Bucknell Athletic Communications