Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Soccer Hosts Binghamton Wednesday, Visits Navy Saturday
9/29/2009 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 29, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The Bison men's soccer team faces two more difficult tests this week, first hosting a strong Binghamton team Wednesday night (7 p.m.) at Emmitt Field, then traveling to Annapolis, Md., on Saturday night (8 p.m.) for a big Patriot League contest against a much-improved Navy side.
Wednesday's home game against Binghamton kicks off at 7 p.m. It is the last in a run of four straight home games for the Bison, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-1 loss to American in the Patriot League opener on Saturday. It is also a revenge game for the Bison after last year's 3-1 loss to the Bearcats in Binghamton.
The Bearcats are 5-3 on the season and come in riding a three-game winning streak. Most recently, they belted Niagara 4-0 at home on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Navy has been the Patriot League's most improved team thus far. After finishing 0-6-1 in conference play in 2008, the Midshipmen have already surpassed that point total after beating arch-rival Army 1-0 Saturday on Wes Powell's overtime penalty kick. The Mids are 5-3 overall.
BISON MEN'S SOCCER NOTEBOOK
Coverage
- Click HERE to follow Bucknell-Binghamton live stats via GameTracker.
- Click HERE to follow Bucknell-Navy live stats via GameTracker.
Bucknell vs. Binghamton Series Notes
- The Bison and Bearcats first met in 2001, and since then Bucknell has built a 3-2-1 series lead. Binghamton has won the last two matchups, however, including a 3-1 result last season and a 1-0 decision in 2007 in the last meeting in Lewisburg.
- In 2005, Bucknell earned a 1-0 victory over a Binghamton team that was ranked No. 19 in the nation at the time.
- The Bison won 4-0 in the very first meeting in 2001.
- In last year's game at Binghamton, both teams came in riding five-game unbeaten streaks, but the Bearcats prevailed 3-1 behind goals from Andy Tiedt, Cameron Keith and Ryan Tomko. Bucknell cut a 2-0 deficit to 2-1 on Conor O'Brien's goal in the 54th minute, but Tomko netted a big insurance goal for the Bearcats in the 76th minute. The Friday-night match drew a crowd of 1,892, which was the largest for a regular-season home game at Binghamton.
About Binghamton
- The Bearcats are now 5-3 on the season after Sunday's 4-0 rout of Niagara. Binghamton has won three straight matches, outscoring UC-Davis, Cornell and Niagara by a combined 7-0 count. The team has not allowed a goal since Sept. 18, when Gonzaga scored in overtime to deal the Bearcats a 2-1 loss.
- Bucknell and Binghamton have played one common opponent thus far, as both teams have one-goal wins over Syracuse. Bucknell beat the Orange 1-0 at the Mayor's Cup three weeks ago, while Binghamton topped Syracuse 3-2 at home in its season opener on Sept. 1.
- Binghamton is 1-1 against the Patriot League thus far. The Bearcats defeated Colgate 1-0 in overtime at home on Sept. 5, then lost 1-0 at Lafayette on Sept. 17.
- Binghamton has finished either first or second in the America East in each of the last six years, including championships in 2003 and 2006.
- Kyle Kucharski leads the team with eight points, coming on two goals and four assists. Scott Zobre, Andy Tiedt and Kyle Manscuk also have two goals apiece.
- Jason Stenta has played every minute in goal, making 41 saves with only seven goals against in eight appearances.
- Binghamton has outscored foes 13-7 and outshot them 101-92 this season.
Bucknell vs. Navy Series Notes
- Navy holds a 23-7-2 lead in an all-time series that dates back to 1930, which was just the second season of varsity soccer at Bucknell.
- The Bison have gotten the better of the Midshipmen in recent years, however. Bucknell is 6-0-1 against Navy since 2002, including shutouts in two of the last three meetings.
- Last season's game in Lewisburg was preceded by the formal dedication of Holmes Stadium, then a crowd of 1,202 went home happy after Mark Schmiegel scored his second goal of the game 7:36 into overtime. Mike Porcelli deflected in a shot from Adam Pennington to give Navy a 1-0 lead just 8:51 into the match, but the Bison outshot the Midshipmen 25-6 following that goal.
About Navy
- After a 5-1 start, Navy dropped two straight games in Philadelphia, falling 2-0 to Penn and 4-0 to La Salle. But the Midshipmen bounced back in a big way over the weekend, tripping up arch-rival Army 1-0 when Wes Powell converted a penalty kick in the eighth minute of sudden-death overtime.
- Navy's con-conference wins have come against Saint Joseph's (3-1), Mount St. Mary's (3-1), Saint Francis (Pa.) (2-0) and Temple (3-2 OT). The Mids travel to George Washington on Wednesday before hosting the Bison.
- Michael Rakoczy (2-3-7) and Mark Garcia (2-2-6) lead the team in scoring. Navy has been outscored 12-11 and outshot 91-79 this season.
- Tyler Bristol has handled all of the goalkeeping chores so far. He has 25 saves with 12 goals against for a .676 save percentage.
About the Bison
- After a 5-2 start to the season, Bucknell had high hopes for Saturday's home game against American, the team that dealt the Bison an overtime loss on the final day of the 2008 season. Playing in a steady rain throughout, the Eagles dashed those hopes, however. American scored twice in the in first half en route to a 3-1 victory, ending Bucknell's six-game winning streak in conference openers.
- Conor O'Brien scored Bucknell's lone goal against American, coming on a free kick just outside the penalty area in the 89th minute. It was O'Brien's Patriot League-leading sixth goal of the season.
- O'Brien, whose 15 points also lead the league, pocketed his 21st career goal. His next tally will move him into the top 10 on Bucknell's career list.
- Sophomore Marc Hartmann, who shut out Saint Francis (Pa.) in is debut last Wednesday, came on in relief of Tommy Caso in the second half against American. He made one save while allowing one goal.
- Sophomore Andrew Powell's first collegiate goal was a memorable one. It was the game-winner in a 1-0 win over Saint Francis last Wednesday. Powell, a defender, scored on a header in the 85th minute.
- Junior defender Ross Liberati assisted on that goal, his second helper of the year.
- The last time the Bison were 0-1 in Patriot League play was 2002. That season they opened with a 1-0 overtime loss at Holy Cross, but they rebounded the following week to defeat Pittsburgh and Colgate.
- Bucknell slipped from fourth to sixth in this week's NSCAA Middle Atlantic Regional rankings.
Looking Ahead
- After the Navy game, Bucknell plays twice more at home next week. The Bison host St. Peter's on Tuesday night at 7 p.m., then they entertain Holy Cross in a Patriot League game on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 1 p.m.
