Bucknell University
Navy
Joyner, Grad Lead Bison Men's Soccer to 3-2 Win at Navy
10/8/2011 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 8, 2011
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Senior Luke Joyner (Dallas, Texas/J.J. Pearce) recorded his first career two-goal game and freshman Jonathan Grad (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Latin) had a breakout night to lead the Bucknell men's soccer team to a much-needed 3-2 win at Navy on Saturday night at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. There were 32 fouls, 10 yellow cards and two penalty kicks in this wild affair, which saw the Bison bust out of a recent scoring slump while improving to 6-5-1 overall and 1-2-0 in the Patriot League.
Grad, making his second career start, logged a goal and an assist, and he also drew a penalty in the box that led to the tiebreaking goal in the second half. Grad set up the first goal of the game, sending Joyner in on a breakaway just 3:21 into the contest.
It stayed 1-0 until the early stages of the second half, when things really got crazy. Just over six minutes into the half, Navy pulled even on an unassisted goal from Nick Dubee. Only 50 seconds later, Joyner returned the favor to Grad, playing the rookie through for a breakaway, and Grad was tripped up in the box to draw the penalty kick. Joyner converted from the spot for his fourth goal of the year, and the Bison would lead the rest of the way.
In the 60th minute, just seven minutes after the PK, Brendan Burgdorf (Westfield, N.J./Pingry School) made a 50-yard run with the ball and chipped in a cross that was deflected by goalkeeper Aaron Dupere, but Grad was there to punch in the rebound for his first collegiate goal.
The Midshipmen (4-5-3, 1-1-1 PL) earned a penalty kick of their own in the 74th minute, and David Jackson converted to make it a 3-2 game. Navy nearly tied it in the 79th minute when Zach Davis hit the crossbar, but the Bison did not allow a shot in the final 10 minutes and held on for the win.
Tommy Caso (Phoenix, Md./McDonogh) finished with three saves for Bucknell, while Dupere also had three for Navy. The Mids finished with a 19-12 shot advantage and an 8-4 edge in corner kicks.
Bucknell is now 9-0-1 in its last 10 games against Navy. The Bison return home next Saturday to face Holy Cross in another key Patriot League matchup at 1 p.m.
