Bucknell University
Lafayette
Men's Soccer Blanks Lafayette 2-0, Moves up in PL Standings
10/29/2014 10:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Goals from Mark Leibensperger and Jesse Klug sent the Bucknell men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Lafayette on Wednesday evening at chilly Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium. And while the Bison were taking care of their own business at home, other results from around the league vaulted them from a four-way tie for fifth place into a two-way tie for fourth in the Patriot League standings.
Coming in looking to shake a four-game winless streak (0-3-1), the Bison were looking to get back to their familiar formula of strong defense and timely goal-scoring, and that is just what they got against Lafayette. Clarke Fox presided over the clean sheet with three saves, while the defense allowed only nine total shots to help the Bison improve to 7-9-1 overall and 3-3-1 in the Patriot League.
It took 20 minutes for Bucknell to launch its first shot of the night, but the Bison warmed up as the first half progressed. They nearly got on the board in the 28th minute, but a header from Sebastiaan Blickman at the 6-yard box was just high. In the 36th minute, holding midfielder Jack Zollicoffer played a ball wide to left back Mark Leibensperger. After taking a touch inside, Leibensperger cracked a shot with his right foot -- his off foot -- that glanced off the torso of a Lafayette back and snuck inside the right post. It was Leibensperger's first goal of the season and the second of his career.
Connor Willings helped keep it a 1-0 game in the 64th minute. Lafayette's Quentin Anson sent in a cross from the right side that was ticketed for Chandler Fraser-Pauls running to the back post, but Willings checked back and stuck out a toe at the last second to break up the play.
Bucknell put it away with an insurance goal from Klug with 7:52 to play. Lafayette had just broken up a set piece, but Leibensperger intercepted a pass to thwart a Leopards counter-attack. Chris Thorsheim, who was terrific with the ball in the midfield all night for the Bison, then slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the penalty area, and Klug beat the keeper to the ball and punched it into the right side of the net for his team-leading eighth goal of the season.
The Bison had a few more bits of defending to do in the final minutes, and Fox came up with his best save of the night on a back-post header by Eric West with 4:10 to play.
"Psychologically this was big for our guys because we have given some points away throughout the season," said head coach Brendan Nash, who picked up his 150th career victory. "Once we got up 1-0 it was important to seal the deal and get the shutout. The second goal was a bonus. It was a good effort tonight all the way around."
Bucknell finished with a 15-9 shot advantage, and both teams took five corner kicks. Brad Seeber made four saves in goal for the Leopards, who fell to 5-9-2 overall and 1-6 in the Patriot League. This was just the second time all season Lafayette has been beaten by more than one goal.
Bucknell and Lehigh are now tied for fourth place with 10 points in the Patriot League standings. Boston University (19) and Navy (16) both clinched Patriot League Tournament berths, and American (13) remained in third place with a home victory over Loyola.
Army and Holy Cross played to a wild 3-3 draw at West Point, and the Black Knights are now alone in sixth with eight points. Holy Cross, Loyola and Colgate are all now outside playoff position with seven points.
Bucknell will next play at Holy Cross on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
