Field Hockey Set to Face Bucknell in Patriot League Tournament
November 7, 2013 | Field Hockey
Nov. 7, 2013
Watch on PLN | Live Stats
Patriot League Tournament Preview | Video | Championship Central
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The second-seeded Boston University field hockey team (12-6, 5-1 PL) will look to reach the Patriot League championship game in its first try when it takes on third-seeded Bucknell (8-9, 4-2 PL) in the second of two semifinals on Friday (Nov. 8) at American. Game time is set for 2 p.m. and all the action will be broadcast live on the Patriot League Network.
Top-seeded American will face two-time defending champion Lafayette in the first semifinal at 11 a.m. The two winners will meet for the title on Saturday (Nov. 9) at 1 p.m.
The Terriers will look for a repeat performance from three weeks ago when they defeated the Bison, 2-0, at New Balance Field. Senior Nell Burdis and Patriot League Rookie of the Year Amanda Cassera scored the goals in the victory.
BU placed a League-best four players on the All-Patriot League First Team. Bucknell had four All-League honorees with senior Vickie Resh and junior Kelsey Mucelli earning a spot on the First Team and senior Rachel Misko and junior Liz Wills taking second-team honors.
Misko leads the Bison in both points (19) and goals (9) while fellow senior has contributed 18 points on eight goals and a pair of assists. Senior Erica Perrine has all 17 games in goal and sports a 1.87 goals-against average and a .684 save percentage.
The Bison snapped a four-game losing streak with a 5-2 home win against Rutgers on Sunday in their regular-season finale. Bucknell has reached the Patriot League championship game on five occasions, most recently in 2011, but has never won the title.
Two Terriers share the team's scoring lead as Cassera and sophomore Sofi Laurito - an All-PL First Team selection - have 16 points on eight goals apiece. Second-team member Hester van der Laan has had an impressive rookie season with 13 points on four goals and five assists.
The Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, senior Ysi Schieb leads BU in assists with seven to go along with two goals. She and classmate Madeleine Hackett were also All-PL First Team honorees along with junior goalkeeper Valentina Cerda Eimbcke, who leads the League in goals-against average (1.30) and shutouts (5).
