Junior Field Hockey Player Melissa Maher Shoots Bison Into Patriot League Finals

Bucknell advances to final game for second-straight year with overtime win.

Junior Melissa Maher scored both goals in Bucknell's 2-1 overtime upset of Fairfield in the Patriot League Tournament.

Nov. 3, 2000

Worcester, Mass. - Bucknell junior forward Melissa Maher (Marcy, N.Y./Whitesboro) scored two goals, including the game-winner in the first overtime, to lead the Bison to a victory over Fairfield, 2-1, in the second semi-final game of the 2000 Patriot League Tournament. The Championship Tournament is being held at Holy Cross, the top-seed in the tournament.

After a scoreless first half Maher put the Bison on top with an unassisted goal at 29:52 in the second half. Fairfield freshman forward Emilie Hugenholtz (Naarden, The Netherlands/Gemeentelijk) tied the game at one on a penalty stroke with 16:21 left in the game. Maher scored the game-winner at 8:22 in the first overtime off a rebound on a penalty corner. With her second score, Maher moved into a tie for seventh place on Bucknell's all-time career goals list with 18.

Bucknell goalie Sonja Wettergreen (Norwalk, Conn./Brien McMahon) made 11 saves in the Bison net, while Allison Brienza made three saves for the Stags.

The Orange and Blue will take on #1 seed Holy Cross at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 4, in the championship game. The winner will claim the 2000 Patriot League title and face the winner of the Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference for a chance to participate in the NCAA tournament.

1st 2nd OT Final Fairfield (12-9) 0 1 0 1 Bucknell (9-10) 0 1 1 2

Scoring: 2nd Half: BU: Melissa Maher (unassisted) 29:52 FU: Emilie Hugenholtz (penalty stroke) 16:21 1st Overtime: BU: Melissa Maher (unassisted) 8:22

Fairfield Goaltending: MP Saves GA Allison Brienza 76:38 3 2

Bucknell Goaltending: MP Saves GA Sonja Wettergreen 76:38 11 1

Shots: 1st 2nd OT Final Fairfield 10 13 0 23 Bucknell 0 4 5 9

Corners: 1st 2nd OT Final Fairfield 7 8 1 16 Bucknell 1 1 5 7