Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell's Neithamer Earns First PL Defensive Player of Week Award
4/26/2010 8:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
April 26, 2010
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Bucknell sophomore Jason Neithamer (Alexandria, Va./St. Stephen's & St. Agnes) earned his first Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week award on Monday after helping the Bison to a critical 8-7 overtime win over Colgate over the weekend.
Bucknell had to have the victory in order to qualify for the Patriot League Tournament, and it got it thanks in large part to a terrific defensive effort for most of the game. After allowing a goal on Colgate's first shot of the day, the Bison kept the Raiders off the board for the next 41 minutes while piling up a 7-1 lead.
They would need all of that cushion, as Colgate took advantage of a three-minute illiegal stick penalty and got back in the game in the fourth quarter. But ultimately the Bison defense stiffened again, holding the Raiders scoreless for the final four minutes of regulation before thwarting two Colgate possessions in overtime.
A first-year starter on close defense, Neithamer has been a major part of the Bison defense. He picked up a team-high five ground balls in the Colgate game, including a big one on the opening faceoff of overtime.
An All-Patriot League candidate, Neithamer ranks second on the team and leads all Bison defensemen in ground balls with 48.
Neithamer is the third different Bucknell player to earn Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week honors in 2010. Jake Clarke and Alex Lyons have already won it twice each.
At 8-5 overall and 3-3 in the league, Bucknell is the No. 4 seed in the Patriot League Tournament, which begins Friday at West Point. The Bison will play tournament host and top-seeded Army at 3 p.m. at Michie Stadium.
