WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Lafayette field hockey team advanced to Saturday's Patriot League Tournament championship game on a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over Bucknell in the semifinals. Lafayette, which improved to 14-5 on the season, will play the top seed and tournament host American at noon Saturday in the title game.

The Bison had a commanding first few minutes, but the Leopards were able to strike first when senior captain Molly McAndrew scored unassisted at 4:48 in the first quarter. McAndrew received a long pass into the circle and hit a reverse chip past Bucknell's goalkeeper.

The Bison evened the score at 9:38.

Lafayette's outlet and offensive lines capitalized on an error during a Bucknell penalty corner and were able to get a fast break that turned into a corner of their own by Felicitas Hannes with just under two minutes left in the first. The upcoming sweep by Simone Hefting was sent just wide of the cage.

Both teams made advances into the opposing twenty-fives during the second quarter, but neither found the net. Bucknell scored their go-ahead goal at 32:55 in the third quarter.

Freshman Lineke Spaans received a pass from Audrey Sawers to get out of the Lafayette defensive half and took it all the way to the circle to find her way around Bucknell's defenders. The 2021 Patriot League Rookie of the Year scored on a reverse hit to even up the score at 2-2 with 11:35 left to play in the final quarter of regulation.

Bucknell retaliated during a penalty corner that got caught up behind Lafayette goalkeeper Hailey Abbott at 52:56.

Spaans ran the ball down again to get a corner with just 30 seconds left, where the Leopards scored off a fantastic rebound out of the air. Alden Boccella got credit for the goal, timed at 59:41, as both teams prepared for the first ten-minute sudden-death overtime period.

Senior captain Audrey Sawers hit a magnificent sweep to the lower right corner after Bucknell's Rachel Apa was issued a green card and Lafayette was given a penalty corner. This goal (62:19) ended the overtime and secured yet another game for the Leopards. Sawers now boasts two overtime game-winners versus Bucknell in the past week alone.

The total shots advantage went to Lafayette with 11 to Bucknell's 10. Penalty corners remained in the Leopard's favor at 8-7. Senior goalkeeper Hailey Abbott made two saves in the victory. Bucknell's McCormick also made two.

Lafayette will face No. 1 Seed American this Saturday at noon in the Patriot League Championship game. #RollPards!