Sept. 9, 2011

Live Stats on GameTracker:

10 a.m. Saturday vs. Central Michigan

1 p.m. Sunday at No. 14 Michigan

LEWISBURG, Pa. - After playing then-No. 7 Princeton to a tight 2-0 decision last week, Bucknell field hockey will aim to continue its progress as it makes the trip for a pair of games in Ann Arbor, Mich., this weekend, taking on Central Michigan and Michigan. The Bison will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday against the Chippewas. Play continues at 1 p.m. on Sunday with a meeting against the No. 14 Wolverines. Live stats on GameTracker will be available for both games at BucknellBison.com.

Bucknell goalkeeper Erica Perrine (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) earned her first career start against Princeton last Friday and held the top-10 nationally ranked team to two goals at Graham Field. The Bison defense played a major role in that stat as well. The Tigers' two goals and nine shots were both the fewest allowed by Bucknell this season.

The Bison (0-3) had some of their best looks on the offensive end as well, drawing a penalty stroke in the second half against the Tigers. Vickie Resh (Hamburg, Pa./Hamburg Area) also just missed her first goal of the season when her second-half shot ricocheted off the crossbar. Bucknell has been leading its opponents in penalty corners all fall, 13-7. Against Princeton, the Bison came out on top 3-1 in the category.

Princeton was the Bucknell's second nationally ranked opponent of the early season, and the difficult schedule will continue this weekend. Sunday's opponent, Michigan, was voted No. 14 in the latest Kookaburra/NFHCA Coaches Poll. The Wolverines, which are the defending Big Ten Champions, are 2-2 this season. Their two losses, however, came against No. 2 North Carolina (0-5) and No. 1 Maryland (2-1). They also have a 2-1 win over 11th-ranked Wake Forest and a 3-2 overtime victory over Temple.

Michigan had four players named to all-conference teams a year ago, including Rachael Mack. Mack, who was a second-team selection as a freshman, leads the 2011 squad five points on two goals and an assist. Christi Barwick and Haley Jones have split time in goal, and both have a goals against average of less than 3.00 and eight saves.

Before the Bison get to Michigan, they'll have to get past Central Michigan on Saturday morning. The Chippewas are 2-0 after beating St. Louis (6-0) and Robert Morris (4-1), and have allowed just one goal. Part of that tight defense is senior Brooke Sihota, who was named All-Mid-American Conference Second Team last season. Anastasia Netto is 2-0 in goal for Central Michigan with a tiny 0.64 goals against average and three saves after playing every minute in goal for her team.

Bucknell will have one more game on the road before returning to Graham Field for its next five contests. The bout with Lock Haven will wrap up the road stretch at 1 p.m. on Sept. 18.