Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Albany
Bucknell Blanks Albany 1-0 on Klug's 2nd-Half Strike
9/13/2013 12:43:00 AM | Men's Soccer
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Jesse Klug's goal just 2:05 into the second half was all the Bucknell men's soccer team needed in a 1-0 victory over Albany on Friday night at Union College's Frank Bailey Field. Mike Lansingmade five saves to preserve the shutout for the Bison, who have now won three straight games to improve to 3-2 on the season.
Playing on the road for the first time this season, Bucknell blanked the Great Danes (0-4-1) for the second year in a row. After a scoreless first half, the Bison broke through just after intermission. Freshman Justin Galiani fed a pass through to Klug, who struck a rocket into the upper corner of the goal. For Klug it was his second goal of the season and his second consecutive game-winner. He also had the decisive goal in Bucknell's 2-1 win over La Salle last Sunday. Galiani's assist was his first career point.
Bucknell finished with a 16-12 shot advantage, but things got tense for the Bison in the final few minutes as the Great Danes pushed for the tying goal. In the 87th minute Albany's Thomas Manz had a header go over the bar on a corner kick. In the 89th, Lansing stopped Brandon Wilson on a breakaway, and the follow attempt went wide. And then in the final five seconds of the match, Albany floated a ball into the box, where Manz sent a shot off the crossbar.
"After a long day of travel and then playing on a small field, we showed some resiliency to pull out a 1-0 win in a tough environment," said head coach Brendan Nash. "It was sort of an old-school Bucknell victory. The last 10 minutes were a bit scary and we still have a lot of room for improvement, but this was a step in the right direction."
Klug led the Bison with five shot attempts, while Connor Willings had three. Bucknell outshot Albany 9-3 in the first half. Albany led in corner kicks 7-2.
Lansing secured his second shutout of the season and the seventh of his career. Albany keeper Tim Allen made six saves.
Bucknell will remain in the Capital District to face Siena on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. in Loudonville, N.Y.
