On Nov. 8, the Bison field hockey team suffered a tough 1-0 loss to Lafayette in the Patriot League semifinals. Lafayette’s lone goal coming off a penalty corner with only eight minutes remaining in the game. The Leopards were awarded eight penalty corners in the game, four of which fell back-to-back. They converted on the fourth to score the game-winning goal, concluding the Orange and Blue’s season.

The Bison ultimately finished with two shots on the day, coming from Megan Keeney ’21, Emily Doyle ’22 and Brittany Willwerth ’20. Keeney’s shot came in the second quarter but went just wide of the cage. Doyle’s attempt was saved by the Lafayette goalkeeper early in the third quarter.

Olivia Harris ’20, recipient of the Patriot League’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, collected a total of seven saves for the Bison, six of which came in the second half of the game.

“It was a bittersweet game to end our season on, as both teams played incredible. We had our shots, and they had theirs, but at the end of the day, Lafayette put the ball in the back of the net,” Harris said. “I’m so proud of my entire class for the past 3.5 years of work and the whole team for this past season.” 

The Bison finished the season with a 9-9 overall record and a 4-2 record in conference play. They also had five players named to All-Patriot League teams, including Allie Christopher ’20, Leah Fogelsanger ’21 and Harris awarded first team, while Willwerth and Kaelyn Long ’21 earned second team.

Marisa Morakis ’20, Harris, Long and Willwerth were also named to the Academic All-Patriot League team. This is the most Bison field hockey players that have been named to this team since the 2014 season.

Despite the season-ending loss, the Orange and Blue will look to bounce back by starting preparation for their fall 2020 season in the upcoming spring. Notwithstanding the loss of six strong seniors, the Bison hope to continue with another successful season with a strong group of freshmen coming in.