Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
7-9-3, 4-2-3PL
Bucknell
10-8-2 4-4-1PL
Women's Soccer Season Ends In 2-1 Heartbreaker
November 04, 2014 | Women's Soccer
Playing a man down throughout the second half, Army (7-9-3) cut the Bison lead in half when sophomore Sam Gottlieb booted a 25-yard shot into the left side of the net in the 52nd minute. Freshman Clare Shea, who earned Patriot League third team all-star honors yesterday, assisted on Gottlieb's fourth goal of the season.
Bucknell (10-8-2), who lost to Army 2-1 during the regular season, took an early lead on Cora Climo's 30-yared free kick that curled into the net just nine minutes into the game.
Army's best scoring chance of the opening half was by junior forward Katie Holder, a Patriot League first-team selection, but was nixed by goalkeeper Jessie Ashworth in the 22nd minute. After outrunning a Bucknell defender, Holder was headed to the goal in a one-on-one situation with the keeper, but a diving save on her attempt by Ashworth denied the Black Knights what would have been the equalizer.
Six minutes later a corner kick by Climo at the 28:50 mark set in motion the Bison's second goal when Bucknell was awarded a penalty kick after an Army player was red carded following a handball infraction in the box. Hannah Bonotto converted the shot at 29:12 as Bucknell pulled ahead 2-0.
Though playing shorthanded, Army had the final two attempts of the first half on shots by Gottlieb and Hanna Rozzi that went wide of the net.
Despite being outshot 8-5 in the second half, Army drew to 2-1 on Gottlieb's tally, but came up shy of the equalize as attempts by Kayla Swasey and Shea late in the game were snagged by Ashworth.
Ashworth denied Swasey in the 71st minute and seven minutes later, a header by Shea from eight yards was grabbed by Ashworth. Playing hard to the end of the game, Shea's long free kick went over the crossbar with just over a minute remaining in the game.
The Bison outshot the Black Knights 7-4 the first half and 8-5 the second for a 15-9 advantage and led 9-4 in corner kicks.
"Obviously we have to start better and I own responsibility for that," said Army head coach Marcia McDermott, "but the team gave it all they could with the way we competed with a person down in the second half.
"Of course we are disappointed with the loss, but I am proud of that effort."
Bucknell (10-8-2) advances to the semifinals where it takes on top seed and host Colgate Friday in Hamilton, N.Y.
Team Stats
Climo, Cora (2)
off free kick 30 yards into left corner
9:31
Bonotto, Hannah
BUCKNELL Bonotto, Hannah PENALTY KICK GOAL.
29:12
Gottlieb, Sam (4)
Assisted By: Shea, Clare
about 25 hyards into left side of net
52:10
