Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Men's Soccer Set for Patriot League Tournament
11/11/2004 7:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 11, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell men's soccer team gets its chance at revenge during the semifinals of the Patriot League Tournament Friday in Washington, D.C. The Bison, seeded third in the four-team field, take on No. 2 Lehigh, the team that bounced them from the 2003 postseason with a 2-0 shutout. Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Last year Bucknell was the host and top seed in the tournament before it fell to the fourth-seeded Mountain Hawks. This year as the underdog, the Bison will be trying for their first win in the series since the 1995 campaign. Overall Lehigh (11-6-2, 4-2-1 Patriot League) holds a slight 21-19-6 advantage in the series that dates to 1960. Bucknell (7-9-2, 4-2-1 PL) dropped a 3-0 decision to the Mountain Hawks in their first meeting this year, Oct. 16 in Bethlehem, Pa.
Bucknell is led by Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Michael Lookingland, Scott Visnic and Ori Adrabi. Each of the three was selected for the All-Patriot League teams, announced Thursday by the league. The Bison are making their second consecutive tournament appearance for the first time in the 15-year history of the Patriot League. Bucknell has qualified for the postseason tournament in 1990, 1993, 2000, 2003 and 2004.
Lehigh, which gained the second seed because of its head-to-head advantage over Bucknell, won the tournament title in 2000, its only championship. The Mountain Hawks have made it to the championship match and lost five other times, including each of the last two seasons. They are led by All-League selections Adam Williamson, Elliot Leonard and Jim Stevens.
Host and top seed American (12-5-2, 6-1-0 PL) will face No. 4 Lafayette (12-5-0, 4-3-0 PL) in the other semifinal contest at 1:30 p.m. Should Bucknell upend Lehigh, it will face the winner of the American-Lafayette match Sunday, Nov. 14, at 12 p.m. The Bison defeated American 1-0 in late October behind freshman goalkeeper Joey Kuterbach's first career shutout. The defeated the Leopards 2-1 on the road in Easton in early October.
2004 Patriot League Men's Soccer Tournament Friday, Nov. 12 (at Washington, D.C.) No. 3 Bucknell vs. No. 2 Lehigh, 11 a.m. No. 4 Lafayette vs. No. 1 American, 1:30 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 14 (at Washington, D.C.) Bucknell/Lehigh vs. Lafayette/American, 12 p.m.
