WASHINGTON, D.C. - Lafayette used goals by Stella Malinowski and Katie Gibb to knock out third-seeded Bucknell, 2-1, in the Patriot League Championship's semifinal round on Thursday afternoon in the William I. Jacobs Recreational Complex.

With the win, the Leopards move on to play No. 4 Boston U. and defend their 2024 title on Saturday at 1 p.m. In the regular season, Lafayette topped the Terriers, 1-0, on Oct. 24 using a rebound goal by Gibb.

Neither team found the net in the initial period of the second semifinal match of the day. The Bison earned four corners to the Leopards' one in that time.

The Maroon and White secured a penalty corner opportunity with just two minutes left in the second quarter. Senior midfielder Josephine van Wijk's drive sailed just wide for a 0-0 knot at the halftime buzzer.

Freshman Lauern Kurek dribbled the ball into the circle around the 11-minute mark of the third period. After pushing it through the oncoming Bucknell goalkeeper, Malinowski was able to convert the loose ball into the far side of the net to give Lafayette a 1-0 lead at 33:53.

Gibb, storming in from outside the 16-yard line during the third quarter, snaked her way through two defenders to the goal line. While falling from giving it her all, she threw the ball past the keeper for Lafayette's second tally at 42:26.

The Bison removed their goalkeeper, Sarah Althouse, from the cage with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter in order to gain an extra field player.

Bucknell's offensive strategy granted a penalty stroke at 57:23. Kira Leclercq added the Bison to the scoreboard with a toss to the lower right backboard, trailing 2-1 to the defending-champion Leopards in the final score.

Lafayette held the advantage in total shots (13-7) and Bucknell recorded six penalty corners compared to the hosts three. Leclercq took all seven attempts for the Bison with not one single attempt originating from the direct field of play.

The Patriot League Goalkeeper and Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Raffi Fragomeni, made one save on two on-goal shots in the victory. Her Bison counterpart, Althouse, made nine saves while facing 11 shots before she was pulled out.

The Leopards' next contest will be available on ESPN+ and hosted at American University's Jacobs Recreational Complex in Washington, D.C. Cory Nidoh is slated to call the plays with Gabby DiPaula adding analysis during the live broadcast.

 
For the latest on the Lafayette College field hockey program, follow the Leopards on Twitter @LafayetteFH and Instagram @lafayette_fh.