March 5, 2008

LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell women's lacrosse team celebrated Caline McHenry's first game as head coach with a 17-5 victory over Long Island University, Wednesday afternoon at Graham Field. The Bison moved to 1-0 following their season opener, while the Blackbirds now own a record of 0-3 on the year.

Freshman Julia Braun (Tomkins Cove, N.Y./North Rockland) tallied five goals and one assist to lead Bucknell in the win, while sophomore Alison Heffernan (Malvern, Pa./Agnes Irwin School) added a hat-trick and senior Lauren Deitrich (Collegeville, Pa./Hill School) collected four caused turnovers.

The Bison got off to an early lead with junior Bonnie Buechel (South Orange, N.J./Columbia) netting the ball off an assist from sophomore Carol Donohue (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon), just over three minutes into play. Bucknell then added two more goals by Donohue and Braun, off an assist by freshman Lauren Peyser (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset) before Long Island's Christie Wienckowski retaliated at the 24:05 mark to bring the score to 3-1.

The Orange and Blue netted three more goals before the end of the first half by Donohue, Heffernan and Braun, while the Blackbirds picked up one more goal by Wienckowski to bring the score to 6-2 at the end of the period.

Bucknell started the second half with a goal just 20 seconds into play by Peyser off an assist from Braun. Long Island's Sam Fischbeck scored at the 28:09 mark before Bucknell dominated, recording eight goals in the next 16 minutes. Collins and Braun added two goals, while Heffernan, Buechel, freshman Ashley St. John (Wayne, Pa./Conestoga) and freshman Becca Devine (Arlington, Va./St. Stephen's and St. Agnes) contributed one to bring the score to 15-3 with 11:28 left in play.

The Blackbirds notched two more tallies in the second period, both by Kristina Scheerer. Braun's fifth score of the afternoon came with under four minutes to play and Heffernan added her third at the 1:08 mark to bring the final score to 17-5 for a Bison victory.

Freshman goalkeeper Alyssa DeLorenz (Garland, Texas/Plano East) made nine saves for the Orange and Blue, while Long Island goalkeeper Kimberly Bostwick recorded seven saves. The Bison out-shot the Blackbirds, 34-19 to bring home the win.

Bucknell will be back in action this Saturday, March 8, at Graham Field to play American at 3:30 p.m. for National Sportsmanship Day.