Hillman Scores Twice as Bucknell Field Hockey Shuts Out Colgate 7-0

Bison Record Season's Second Shutout in Patriot League Opener

Leigh Hillman scored twice in Bucknell's 7-0 win over Colgate.

Sept. 29, 2012

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LEWISBURG, Pa. - Leigh Hillman registered her first career multi-goal game and Bucknell field hockey shut out its second opponent of the year as it defeated Colgate 7-0 in their Patriot League opener at Graham Field on Saturday afternoon. At the close of its longest homestand of the year, the Bison are now 6-5 overall and 1-0 in the conference for the year.

"I was really happy. It was nice that we scored so regularly at the beginning of the game," said head coach Jeremy Cook. "We're happy to come away with the result.

"They're a dangerous team," Cook said of Colgate. "We knew that they had some scoring power, but we knew that if we played our game and kept the tempo high, we would be all right."

The scoring did come regularly early on as Rachel Misko broke things open with her fifth goal of the season at 29:39.

Less than three minutes later, Hillman made it 2-0 as her shot made it past Colgate's (2-8, 0-1 PL) Amanda DiDomizio. The goal was preceded by a flurry of activity in front of the net that included an initial shot from Vickie Resh, fresh off her third-place finish with Team USA at the Junior Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Although Resh's shot was offline, Abby Watson was able to collect the rebound and dish it off to Hillman for her first goal of the afternoon.

Bucknell then took a three-goal lead into halftime, courtesy of Hillman's second score. At the break, the Bison had a 9-6 advantage in overall shots and trailed 4-1 in penalty corners. Those numbers began to go even more in Bucknell's favor as play resumed in the second half and it became more obvious why the home team was working its way toward it second shutout of the season.

Bucknell continued to get good looks inside the circle, getting several scoring opportunities off centering passes and cashing in on deflections. A deflection off DiDomizio set the score at 4-0, and Kelly Stefanowicz converted a penalty corner for 5-0. That chased DiDomizio from the goal, who ended her day with five saves and five goals against.

Backup Caitlin Zolet gave up two goals and made two saves in 15:31 of action. Her first goal allowed came off a deflection as Resh fired the ball in the circle for her first goal of the season.

Sydnor is now tied with Misko for second on the team in goal scoring. Both Bison have five goals on the year, trailing only Tayler Siegrist whose defense ultimately held Colgate to nine shots compared to Bucknell's 21.

Capping off the scoring and giving Bucknell its largest margin of victory of the season was Kayla Sullivan. It was the freshman's first career goal, coming with just 37 remaining in the game.

Erica Perrine and Shannon Keen combined for Bucknell's shutout. Perrine made three saves in 56:26 of play. Keen then made her first career appearance but did not face a shot in 13:34 of play.

The victory wrapped up a stretch in which the Bison played eight of their last nine games at home. Bucknell posted a 5-3 record during that time.

Bucknell now turns its attention to Rutgers. The Bison and Scarlet Knights square off at 1 p.m. tomorrow in Piscataway, N.J.