EASTON, Pa. - Bucknell clustered enough offense in a 70 second span of the first half to down the Lafayette Women's Soccer team 2-1 in a Saturday afternoon contest at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium in the Patriot League opener for both teams.

The Bison got on the board first just 17:33 in to the contest when Abby Gearhart converted a penalty kick following a Lafayette foul inside the box.  Following another foul in the 19th minute, the Bucknell freshman took a free kick just five yards outside the box and found 5'11 junior Chloe Christakos at the left post who headed the ball home for a 2-0 advantage.

"That is the harsh lessons of league play," head coach Mick Statham said. "Sometimes when you start slowly it doesn't always cost you, but today it cost us two goals and we were chasing things for the rest of the game."

The Leopards (4-4-1, 0-1) had numerous scoring opportunities in each half that ended up either just off the mark or successfully thwarted by Bucknell freshman keeper Kaylee Donnelly. Before the visitors even scored, Abbie Bresnahan nearly connected with Sophie Saldivar and Krista Kissell in the 4th and 14th minute, respectively.

Lafayette nearly cut the lead in half before intermission on scoring opportunities by Katie Butler and Sara Oswald. The best chance may have come in the final 15 seconds when Caitlin Balmer put a shot on frame when Donnelly was caught out of position only to have defender Holly Burns clear the ball off of the line.

"We put ourselves in good position but part of the game is obviously finishing," Statham said. "It is a huge part of the game and we just weren't good enough in front of goal when we had chances."

The Leopards continued to apply pressure, ending the game with a 17-8 advantage in shots, and generated a pair of good looks early in the second half on attempts by Saldivar and Bresnahan in the 45th minute. It wasn't until a barrage of shots in the 79th minute, however, that the hosts were able to get on the board.

Kissell was able to corral a rebound off of a shot from the right side by Butler and push a pass in front of the net to sophomore Riley Dowd who blasted it home for her second goal of the season.  Dowd nearly had the equalizer with 4:20 remaining but her header attempt following a free kick by Kissell was just wide left.

"We played very well for at least 50-percent of the game, probably 60-percent," Statham said. "We did some good things and I was pleased with the response of the players. They are obviously disappointed at the end of the game but I think there is a lot to look forward to."

Up next for Lafayette is another Patriot League home match at 1 p.m. on Saturday against rival Lehigh. The Mountain Hawks are 2-3-4 on the season after falling to Loyola Maryland at home in the Patriot League opening weekend.