Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Men's Lax Pair Earns Patriot League Weekly Honors
3/18/2002 7:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
March 18, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell freshman attackman Chris Cara (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford H.S.) and junior goalie Justin Sussman (Baltimore, Md./Friends Academy) have been named the Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, the league office announced Monday.
Both players were honored for the first time this season after leading Bucknell to crucial 8-5 conference win over 17th-ranked Army on Saturday. The Bison also lost to fifth-ranked Maryland 16-6 last week and now stand 1-4 on the season.
Cara was also recognized as the Bull Run Inn Bison Athlete of the Week.
Rapidly emerging as one of the top rookies in the Patriot League, Cara totaled nine points in the two games against Maryland and Army. Against the Terps, Cara assisted on four of Bucknell's six goals, setting a career-high for assists while logging the most by a Bison player this season. He then torched Army for a career-high four goals, including the game-winner. Cara also had an assist against the Black Knights, meaning he had a hand in nine of Bucknell's 14 goals during the week.
Cara took over the team scoring lead with 15 points (7G, 8A). He also ranks second on the team with 20 ground balls, including a career-high six against Army. Cara ranks fourth in the Patriot League in assists and tied for fourth in total points.
While Cara is just starting to make a name for himself in the Patriot League, Sussman is already one of the league's most highly regarded netminders. A Second Team All-Patriot League selection last season, Sussman turned in his sharpest effort of the year against Army. He made a season-high 19 saves while limiting the Black Knights to only five goals, their fewest ever in a Patriot League game. Sussman made 11 saves while yielding only two goals in the second half.
Sussman, who also had 10 stops in three quarters against Maryland, improved his season save percentage to .598 and his goals-against average to 9.89. Both figures rank fourth in the Patriot League.
After opening the season with five straight home games - all against nationally-ranked opponents - Bucknell now plays five straight in the road, beginning Wednesday afternoon at Mount St. Mary's.
