Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Princeton
Bucknell Men's Soccer's Unbeaten Streak Snapped by Princeton, 1-0
9/27/2006 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 27, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - For the first time since late August, the Bucknell men's soccer team lost a game as it dropped a 1-0 decision to Princeton Wednesday night at Varsity Soccer Field. The loss snapped an eight-match unbeaten streak for the Bison, who fell to 7-2-2 on the season. The Tigers improved their record to 4-3-2.
Ben Harms scored his first goal of the season on a give-and-go with Dion Bubar-Hall at the 30:23 mark to put Princeton up 1-0 and neither team found the back of the net again in the fast-paced contest.
Despite the game being full of action, there were not many scoring chances for either team as Bucknell attempted just eight shots to Princeton's seven. Bison goalie Joey Kuterbach (Kingwood, Texas/Kingwood), who has not allowed more than one goal in any game this season, was called on to make just two saves, while Joe Walter, who was making his first collegiate start, needed just one save for his first career shutout.
Bucknell's best scoring opportunities came in the match's first 11 minutes. Just 39:30 into the first half, Andy Kummer (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon) lofted a pass over the defense to Alex Russo (Middletown, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy), who was cutting backdoor. The pass nearly snuck through to Russo, but a Princeton player deflected it at the last moment.
Just over five minutes after failing to convert the backdoor opportunity, Russo nearly put the Bison up 1-0 again. Russo, who has a team-high five goals this year, headed a ball toward the goal that clanged off the crossbar following a Matt Hittson (Radnor, Pa./Radnor) free kick.
Wednesday's loss snapped Bucknell's eight-game unbeaten streak that featured seven victories and one tie. The streak was the longest for the Bison since posting the program record of 14 in 1974. The loss also ended Bucknell's perfect 4-0-0 mark at home this season.
The Bison return to Patriot League play Saturday at 4 p.m. when they welcome No. 24 Colgate to Varsity Soccer Field. Both teams are 2-0-0 in league play and are tied with Lehigh for first in the conference standings. The Bucknell women's squad will host Colgate immediately following at 7 p.m.
