Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lehigh
Bison Men's Soccer Defeats Lehigh 1-0 in Long-Awaited Patriot League Opener
9/23/2012 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 23, 2012
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Freshman Jesse Klug scored off a Brendan Burgdorf assist in the 55th minute, and freshman goalkeeper Mike Lansing made seven saves in yet another shutout as the Bucknell men's soccer team picked up a big 1-0 road win over Lehigh on Sunday evening in the Patriot League opener for both sides. The Bison won their fifth game in a row, four by shutout, and improved to 5-1-2 on the season.
The Bison had to overcome plenty of adversity in joining Navy and Holy Cross atop the Patriot League standings. The contest was originally scheduled for Saturday night but had to be postponed at the last minute after a deluge dumped about three inches of rain during pregame warmups and rendered the field unplayable. Bucknell made the trip back to Bethlehem on Sunday and had to play without injured First Team All-Patriot League defender Mayowa Alli.
"This was a tough week mentally for the guys, so it is gratifying to come home with a league win," said coach Brendan Nash. "Neither team was able to create many great chances, but you always know that Patriot League games are going to come down to one play. Records do not matter. After we got the goal, Lehigh really battled. Our defense needed to come up big and they did."
The game's only goal came at the 54:40 mark. Jonathan Grad played a ball out wide to Burgdorf, who dribbled in along the end line and centered a pass into the 6-yard box. Klug and a defender came sliding after it, and Klug was able to direct it past goalkeeper Ciaran Nugent. Klug's two goals this season have come in his first career game and in his first career Patriot League game.
Other than Bucknell netting the lone goal, it was an evenly played game statistically. Lehigh finished with an 18-16 edge in shots, while Bucknell led 4-3 in corner kicks. Nugent made five saves for the Mountain Hawks, who fell to 0-7 on the season. Burgdorf led the Bison with five shot attempts.
Lansing recorded his third shutout of the year and improved his already league-leading save percentage to .896 and his goals-against average to 0.66.
Bucknell extended its scoreless streak to 381:07. The program record is 559:40, covering six full shutouts, in 1983.
Bucknell's five-game winning streak is its longest since 2009, when it won six in a row.
This was the fifth straight one-goal game between Bucknell and Lehigh, and the series is now tied again at 24-24-8 in 56 games dating back to 1960.
The Bison are back in action on Tuesday at home against Saint Joseph's. Game time is 7 p.m. at Emmitt Field.
