Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lafayette
Bucknell Men's Soccer Wins First Patriot League Championship
11/5/2006 7:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 5, 2006
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - A diving save by Patriot League Tournament MVP Joey Kuterbach (Kingwood, Texas/Kingwood) on the final penalty kick clinched the first Patriot League title for the Bucknell men's soccer team as it defeated Lafayette in the title game Sunday afternoon at a chilly and sunny Ulrich Sports Complex. The victory gave the Bison their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1976.
Neither team was able to score during regulation or overtime, forcing deciding penalty kicks for the second consecutive contest for Bucknell. Thomas Harju and Scott Hawkins netted goals past the flailing Kuterbach as the Leopards took a 2-1 lead. However, Kuterbach, who recorded his seventh shutout of the season, stopped Justin Esposito's shot to even the score at 3-3. Chris Hennings (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) and Justin Wolf (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) scored on their final two to put Bucknell up 4-3, meaning Lafayette had to convert its final one. Anthony Sepe stepped up and Kuterbach, who had been distracting shooters with his arm movement, stood like a statue. Kuterbach then made a diving save to his left to clinch the NCAA Tournament berth.
The fourth-seeded Bison completed their Cinderella run that began Friday night with a 4-1 victory over top-seeded Lehigh on penalty kicks.
The game was relatively even between the teams that scored just one combined goal in their two matches this year. Lafayette outshot Bucknell 16-15, including 5-4 on goal. Bucknell managed three corner kicks to two for Lafayette. Scott Backus recorded four saves for the Leopards, although many of his saves were much easier than Kuterbach's numerous diving saves during regulation and overtime. Kuterbach finished with five saves to boost his season total to 99.
Head Coach Brendan Nash, Andrew Loia, Corey Curnutte, Joey Kuterbach and Executive Director of the Patriot League Carolyn Schlie Femovich  |
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Lafayette also had a couple of opportunities late in the first overtime, but Kuterbach made a pair of diving saves to preserve the shutout.
"The fan support was fantastic," commented Kuterbach following the game. "It helps our energy level to see all these people cheering for us."
Loia, Corey Curnutte (Waterford, Mich./Detroit Country Day), Dirk Swaneveld (Blairstown, N.J./North Warren) and Mark Schmiegel (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) were the Bison who earned positions on the All-Tournament Team.
The Bison had appeared in just one other Patriot League title game and lost to Army in 1993.
Bucknell will find out its NCAA Tournament opponent and location on Monday, Nov. 6, between 4 and 5 p.m. The selection show will be broadcast on ESPNews. The first round of the NCAA Tournament will be held Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 11.
