DEPTFORD, N.J. – The FDU women's bowling team kicked off their 2026-27 campaign in style this weekend at the Bud Whitman Memorial. The Knights posted an 8-1 record and captured the team championship at the event.

The Knights flew through the traditional portion of the weekend. They defeated all five of their opponents on Saturday, including a narrow 940-929 victory over Delaware State. Day one also included wins over Wagner, Coppin State, Wilmington and Felician.

Freshman Caelyn Brown finished in the top five of all bowlers after the traditional round in her collegiate debut.

While FDU dropped their first baker match on Sunday to Mount Saint Mary's, it would prove to be their only blemish on the weekend. In their next match, the Knights used an impressive comeback against Sacred Heart to lift themselves into the championship bracket. This come-from-behind effort saw FDU wipe away a deficit of 68 pins en route to a 14-pin victory.  

In the knockout bracket, FDU extracted their revenge against Mount Saint Mary's. They built an early lead, and despite the Mountaineers cutting into the advantage, the Knights pulled away in the fifth game to secure their place in the championship match.

The Knights met Delaware State in the best-of-seven final. After winning two of the first three baker games, Autumn Buttocovla needed to strike in the final frame of game four to secure the tie for FDU. The junior anchor delivered and FDU maintained a 2.5-1.5 advantage. Three games later, Buttocovla struck out in the tenth to clinch a 4.5-2.5 victory and a trophy for FDU.

FULL SCORES
W vs. Wagner, 893–696 (Baker Total Pinfall)
W vs. Coppin State, 824–793 (Baker Total Pinfall)
W vs. Delaware State, 940–929 (Baker Total Pinfall)
W vs. Wilmington (Del.), 952–765 (Baker Total Pinfall)
W vs. Felician, 954–914 (Baker Total Pinfall)
L vs. Mount St. Mary's, 843–921 (Baker Total Pinfall)
W vs. Sacred Heart, 882–868 (Baker Total Pinfall)
W vs. Mount St. Mary's, 985–909 (Baker Total Pinfall)
W vs. Delaware State, 4.5–2.5 (Baker Match Play)
 

What's Next

FDU will compete in the Golden Bear Invite on Oct. 17-18 in Sinking Springs, Pa.