Nov. 17, 2001

For 65 minutes, the Bucknell University women's soccer team played seventh-ranked Penn State to a 1-1 tie. However, the Nittany Lions scored twice over a 2:04 span late in the second half to escape with a 3-1 victory in the first round of the NCAA Championship.

Penn State (19-3-1) will move on to host Villanova, a 2-0 winner over Penn in the evening's other NCAA first round match, on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Nittany Lions out-shot the Bison 19-5 for the match, but Bucknell junior goalie Laurie Purse recorded a season-high 11 saves between the pipes.

Penn State, which defeated Bucknell 9-2 during the regular season, took a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute when Stephanie Pezzullo smashed a shot off the crossbar and into the back of the net.

The Bison responded 2:00 later when sophomore Savannah Rennels looped in a shot from the left wing and over the head of Penn State keeper Emily Olesiuk for Bucknell's first-ever NCAA Tournament goal.

Although the Nittany Lions controlled the ball throughout the match, the Bison kept their composure, and BU had a golden opportunity to take a 2-1 lead mid-way through the half when Rennels broke free for an open look at the net from the right wing. However, her shot sailed high, and PSU immediately responded with two quick strikes.

Penn State went ahead 2-1 when Christie Welsh scored on a breakaway in the 66th minute, and Joanna Lohman made it 3-1 when she punched in a shot off a scramble 2:04 later.

Bucknell closed out the season at 12-7. The Bison tied their single-season victory mark.

"I knew that we would play with a lot of heart and passion," said head coach Chrissy Findlay. "The seniors on this team are my first recruiting class, and I'm so proud of how much they have accomplished since their freshman year."