Bucknell University Athletics
Heart And Soul Of Men's LAX Has Been The Defensive Unit
4/17/2001 8:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
April 17, 2001
Lewisburg, Pa. - The Bucknell men's lacrosse team cracked the nation's top-ten earlier this season for the first time since 1996 and much of it is due to its stingy defensive unit. After defeating Colgate to clinch the Patriot League's automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament, the Bison have two final contests before they prepare for post-season play.
The key for Bucknell in the NCAA Tournament will be the play of its 7th ranked defense. Leading the Orange and Blue to an 8-3 overall record has been a trio of senior captains and one junior in the backfield. Holding opponents to a 7.55 goals per game average this season have been senior long stick defensive middie Mark Juelis (Westfield, N.J./Westfield), senior defensemen J.C. Metivier (Portland, Maine/Salisbury School), senior defensemen Brian Treacher (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) and junior defensemen Kevin Smithies (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown). The leadership and strong play of these four individuals have helped Bucknell gain its first bid to the NCAA Tournament in school history.
The Bucknell man-down defensive unit has played extremely well this season holding opponents scoreless 78.3% of the time. In conjunction with the four long stick defenders, sophomore short stick d-middie Justin Slama (Chestertown, Md./Kent County) and junior short stick d-middie Brian Loesch (Balwin, N.Y./Kellenberg) have stepped up their play in 2001. The Herd's man-down unit is ranked 11th in Division I and is anchored by sophomore goalkeeper Justin Sussman (Towson, Md./Friends School). Sussman, who has played well behind the leadership of the four long stick defensemen, is ranked 7th in the country allowing only 7.38 goals per game. His save percentage of 62.6% is the 11th best in Division I men's lacrosse.
Behind every good team is a good defense and the Bucknell men's lacrosse team is no exception. The Herd will play their final home contest of the season on Wednesday, April 18, at 4:00 p.m. as they welcome #19 Penn State to town.
