Bucknell University
Butler
Bucknell Men's Soccer Finishes in 1-1 Tie with Butler
8/26/2012 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 26, 2012
RICHMOND, Va. -- For the second time in as many games to start the season, the Bucknell men's soccer team played a quality opponent from the Atlantic 10 to a 1-1 draw. This time it was Bucknell and Butler finishing even after 110 minutes at the VCU/Nike Classic at Sports Backers Stadium. Unlike Friday's deadlock with host VCU, this time it was the Bison picking up the equalizer in the second half.
Trailing 1-0 into the 59th minute, Bucknell turned one of Mayowa Alli's long throw-ins into the tying goal. Officially it was ruled an own goal, as Bucknell's Brendan Burgdorf battled a Butler defender in the air for the ball. It glanced off the Butler player's head into the net.
Butler took the lead 24:11 into the contest on Jeff Adkins' shot from the right side to the far post.
Bucknell had a good look in the first minute of overtime when Josh Plump got loose on a semi-breakaway, but the Butler goalkeeper came out and forced him to shoot wide.
Both teams were coming off double-overtime ties less than 48 hours earlier. Bucknell used up a ton of energy defending for 110 minutes against a high-powered VCU attack, while the Bulldogs had played to a scoreless draw against William & Mary.
This was the first time since 1939 that Bucknell tied its first two games of a season. That year Bucknell drew Western Maryland (0-0) and East Stroudsburg (1-1) to start the campaign.
Butler finished with a 19-14 shot advantage. Freshman keeper Mike Lansing was strong again for Bucknell, finishing with five saves. Jon Dawson had two stops for Butler.
The Bison had 11 corner kicks in the game, while Butler had nine. Burgdorf and Plump had three shots each to pace the Bison, who used seven substitutes in the match.
"Friday's game against VCU definitely took a lot out of our legs, but we showed off some of our depth today and were able to get through it with a tie," said head coach Brendan Nash. "It was an even game with both teams getting a few chances. We would have liked a win this weekend, but we have some positives things to build from."
VCU and William & Mary will meet Sunday night in the fourth and final game of the tournament. Bucknell would win the tournament if that contest finishes scoreless. The tournament MVPs and all-tournament team will be announced at the conclusion of that game.
Bucknell returns to action on Sept. 2 at Florida Gulf Coast at 1 p.m.
UPDATE: VCU defeated William & Mary 2-0 on Sunday night to win the tournament. Bucknell finished in second place, followed by Butler and William & Mary. Mayowa Alli, Jesse Klug and Mike Lansing were named to the All-Tournament Team.
