Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lehigh
Bucknell Men's Soccer Remains Unbeaten in Patriot League Play
10/18/2003 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 18, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell men's soccer team nearly gave the large Homecoming crowd a reason to celebrate just minutes into the second overtime when senior Brian King's missile of a shot sailed just over the Lehigh net, but neither team could convert in the extra sessions and the contest ended in a 2-2 tie. It was BU's first tie of the year, while the Mountain Hawk's ended a game without a winner for the fifth time this season.
The Bison got the scoring started first when senior Chris Beekman finished a pass from King with 26:57 gone in the game. The goal was the fifth of the year for Beekman, giving the forward a career-high for scores.
Lehigh evened the contest at 1-1 before halftime when Steve Fisher scored his team-leading eighth of the year, taking a pass from Brandon Smith with under six minutes left in the opening half. The Mountain Hawks then took a 2-1 lead just over three minutes into the second half. James Lawler got his first of the year when he headed the ball past Bison goalkeeper Adam Edwards. Doug Cusick and Kyle Hansen were credited with assists on the play.
Nearly 25 minutes of scoreless soccer elapsed before sophomore Tim Faneck got the Orange and Blue back in a 2-2 deadlock with his first career score at the 73:18 mark. Junior Jonathan Hemmert registered the assist on the play, moving him into sole possession of sixth-place on the Bucknell career assists list with 16.
The two team's would play out the remainder of the half with no score and head to overtime, although Lehigh nearly ended the game with 36 seconds remaining in regulation when Joe Verdi's shot darted past Edwards, but Hemmert was on the goal line to kick the ball away from danger.
Both team's had opportunities in the overtime sessions, but neither could capitalize.
Edwards ended the game with four saves, while Lehigh keeper Sam Bishop finished with three. The Mountain Hawks outshot BU, 11-7, but the Bison held an 8-7 advantage in corner kicks.
Bucknell moves to 8-5-1 overall and 3-0-1 in Patriot League play to remain in first place in the league standings. The Bison remain home to host St. Francis (Pa.) on Tuesday, October 21 at 3:00 p.m. Lehigh is 7-1-5 overall and 1-0-3 in conference action.
