Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Robert Morris
Bucknell Men's Soccer Opens Season with 3-2 Overtime Win at Robert Morris
8/31/2002 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 31, 2002
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Freshman Eric Brunton (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) got his collegiate career started with a bang, scoring once and assisting on another goal, as the Bucknell men's soccer team defeated Robert Morris, 3-2 in overtime, on Saturday, August 31. The contest was the season-opener for both teams.
The Bison struck first when junior Chris Beekman (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) found Brunton, who fed sophomore Ori Adrabi (West Hills, Calif./El Camino Real) for a 1-0 lead 27:39 into the game. The Orange and Blue added a second goal just over four minutes later when Brunton sent a shot from sophomore Jonathan Hemmert (Westerville, Ohio/St. Charles Prep) into the back of the net.
The host team got within one on a score with 7:12 left in the first half. The Colonials' Rhian Dodds found Joe Di Buono in front of the net to cut the lead to 2-1 at halftime.
Both teams played to a scoreless second half until Robert Morris knotted the contest at 2-2 with 9:29 remaining in regulation when Jamie Dodds took advantage of a penalty kick. Neither team could manage a score the rest of the way and the game headed to overtime.
With just under two minutes left in the first overtime session, the Colonials threatened to end the contest with a breakaway. Bucknell freshman goalkeeper Adam Edwards (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown) had a different plan, alertly saving the breakaway shot and starting a Bison transition game that led to the game-winning goal. Freshman Scott Visnic (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) ended the game with 1:18 remaining in the extra frame, accepting a pass from senior Nick Taylor (Fairview Park, Ohio/St. Ignatius) and Hemmert.
Edwards finished the contest with eight saves in his collegiate debut.
The last time Bucknell won its season-opener was in the 1998 season when the Orange and Blue defeated St. Peter's 3-2 in overtime.
The Bison (1-0) continue a five-game road trip to open the 2002 campaign with a 4:00 p.m. game at Binghamton on Wednesday, September 4.
