Bucknell University
Saint Francis (Pa.)
Bison Outshoot Saint Francis 21-3 but Fall 1-0
9/5/2013 7:21:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. - It was a frustrating night for the Bucknell men's soccer team, which completely dominated possession all night, conceded only three total shots and just one on goal, but still dropped a 1-0 decision to visiting Saint Francis (Pa.) on Wednesday at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium. Pablo Medina's strike in the 57th minute sent the Red Flash to 3-0 on the season, while the Bison fell to 0-2.
Bucknell was smarting defensively after allowing the final three goals in a 3-2 overtime loss to Canisius last Friday, but the Bison were much more aggressive with their pressure in this one. Bucknell saw almost all of the ball in the first half, outshooting the Red Flash 8-0. Saint Francis goalkeeper Daniel Valcicak, who would play a major role in the outcome much later in the game, made a terrific diving save on Jesse Klug's strong header 15 minutes in.
It took Saint Francis 52:54 to get on the shot board, that one coming on a wayward volley from Medina that sailed well over the bar. But just over two minutes later, Medina found the net on his team's only quality look at goal all night.
The scoring sequence started with a Bucknell foul just outside the left corner of the penalty area. Nick Kolarac's diagonal ball in skipped through to the end line on the other side, where it was chased down by Andrew Hajec. His lob back into the box was headed away by Mayowa Alli, but Medina ran on to the second ball and sent a low drive through traffic just inside the right post.
Bucknell dialed up the pressure in the final 15 minutes and came close to equalizing several times. With 14:40 remaining Valcicak made an acrobatic save to deflect a Jonathan Grad shot over the bar. Grad was then at the center of some controversy in the 82nd minute, when he split two defenders inside the box and then went down. The referee initially pointed to the penalty spot, but after a conference with the assistant referee, a goal kick was awarded.
One minute later Bucknell did get a free kick from about 20 yards out, but Klug's shot was nicked by a defender and skipped inches wide of the left post. Valcicak then saved the game with a great reaction save on Austin Lenart's header from close range with 55 seconds to play.
Klug and Thorsheim led the Bison with four shots each. The Bison finished with a 21-3 edge in shots and a 10-2 margin in corner kicks. Valcicak made six saves for Saint Francis.
"Overall, tonight was a lot better than Friday as far as our defensive pressure," said head coach Brendan Nash. "At halftime we told them we wanted to continue to push forward, and we did a pretty good job of that. However, with a young team we have to realize that every single play counts in a game. We paid for a mistake once again tonight."
The Bison continue their four-game, season-opening homestand this weekend when they host Buffalo on Friday at 7 p.m. and La Salle on Sunday at 2 p.m.
