Women’s Soccer Pulls off Heroic Defeat of Bucknell on Senior Night

Friday, October 22

West Point, NY

6 PM

Army West Point

6-7-3, 3-3-2

Bucknell

7-7-3, 4-2-2

Bucknell

Army West Point

Women’s Soccer Pulls off Heroic Defeat of Bucknell on Senior Night

October 22, 2021 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

GAME 16
SCORE	Army 2, Bucknell 1
SCORERS	Army - Lindsey Smith (72'), Kaelan Bradley (88') Bucknell - Paige Temple (31')
RECORDS	Army (6-7-3, 3-3-2 PL) Bucknell (7-7-3, 4-2-2 PL)
LOCATION	Malek Stadium at Clinton Field (West Point, N.Y.)

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Behind goals from Lindsey Smith and Kaelan Bradley, the Army West Point women's soccer team took down Bucknell by a score of 2-1 on Friday night at Malek Stadium.

Despite trailing 1-0 at halftime, the Black Knights were able to claw their way back into the game and took down one of the Patriot League's top programs as they continued to fight for a place in the postseason tournament.

Though possession was fairly even between the teams in the first half, Bucknell was able to create more chances. The Bison had a few looks within the opening 10 minutes and took their first shot on-frame around the 18-minute mark, though Sage Strohman was there to make the save. Izzy Fontana had a great look around that time after the Cadets broke the opposition's back line, but her shot went wide.

With the pressure they created on the Black Knights' defense, the Bison were eventually able to get on the board with a goal from the top of the box. The strike, recorded in the 31st minute of action, awarded the team a 1-0 edge which they took into the halftime break.

Though the scoreboard favored the visitors, the momentum started to shift towards Army after the trip to the locker room. Less than two minutes after the start of the second stanza, the team had a great chance to tie things up when Melanie Hupp sent a fantastic ball into the box, but Kaitlin Palaian's shot went just wide of the post.

Bucknell attempted to regain control of the ball, but the Black Knights were able to maintain possession and continued to create chances within the final third of the field. Army's attack earned the team a corner kick with 25 minutes left in the match, but Lindsey Smith's shot went wide.

Refusing to be discouraged by the first scoreless corner kick, the Cadets got more aggressive on their next set piece and were able to capitalize. Though the team's initial shot was blocked, Smith collected the ball about 30 yards out, fired and found the back of the net. The first goal of her career tied the game up 1-1 at the 72-minute mark.

The Bison tried to respond to the push and were able to take a shot a few minutes later, but the ball sailed over the net. Tensions and physicality between the teams continued to rise as the clock wound down on one of the final regular-season games of the season.

With less than four minutes to go, Army's offense came together and made a well-coordinated run into Bucknell's half of the pitch. Trinity Garay beat her defender just outside of the box and fed a ball to the back post in order to connect with Bradley, who netted her second goal of the year. The freshman's header went past Bucknell's outstretched keeper and put the home team on top, 2-1. From there, Army locked down on defense and held on for the victory.

Inside the Box Score

Prior to the start of the game, head coach Tracy Chao and her staff honored the team's five seniors: Maddie Faust, Garay, Dani Mendoza, Sarah Rutherford and Gillian Schiffer.
The Bison outshot the Cadets 15-8 overall, though Army earned a 7-3 advantage in the second half.
Strohman collected five saves throughout the night, making four in the opening stanza.
Smith and Jasmine Talley recorded a team-high two shots apiece.
Army's defense limited a Bison offense that was nearly two goals per outing to just one. Only two other conference programs have achieved that feat while playing Bucknell in 2021 (Loyola Maryland and Lafayette).

Cadets' Corner

"This was a ?????? ??????. Not just for our Firsties, but for the race in the @PatriotLeague."

Hear from tonight's goal scorers ?? #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/pr82bCrK56
— Army W.Soccer (@ArmyWP_WSoccer) October 23, 2021

Coach's Corner

"From the get-go, our ability to win 50/50 balls, attack with intensity and defend was tremendous." @TracyChao1's thoughts on tonight's WIN ??#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/F5aRzIA6d4
— Army W.Soccer (@ArmyWP_WSoccer) October 23, 2021

Up Next
The team will continue to battle for a spot in the postseason as the Patriot League Championship begins to take shape. The Black Knights will need to earn the victory in their regular-season finale against Boston University on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. The game between Army and the Terriers, who are at the top of the league standings, will be played at Malek Stadium.

Follow Along
For complete coverage of Army West Point women's soccer, follow the Black Knights on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmyWP_WSoccer and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.