Bucknell University
Hartwick
Figgie's Early Strike Propels Bison Past Hartwick, 2-0
8/31/2014 8:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- A third-minute goal from Patrick Figgie and another shutout from goalkeeper Clarke Fox helped the Bucknell men's soccer team defeat Hartwick 2-0 on Sunday evening at muggy Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium. Jonathan Grad tacked on a goal with a penalty kick in the second half to help the Bison improve to 1-1 heading into a three-game road stretch.
In the season-opener on Friday the Bison dominated play in the first half against Binghamton, but they could not put a ball in the net and eventually conceded two second-half goals. On Sunday they converted on their very first chance just 2:49 into the match.
From just beyond midfield, defender Zack Rockmore sent a ball over the top and hit Figgie in stride along the right side of the box. Figgie's right-footed shot was saved by Tom Buckner, but Figgie popped in the rebound with his left foot for his first goal of the season and third of his career.
Hartwick (0-1-1) had a couple of good looks late in the first half, but alert plays by Bison fullbacks kept the Hawks off the board. With about 13 minutes remaining Jack Miller came in alone from the right wing, but Connor Willings was there for the tackle just before Miller could take the shot. In the final two minutes of the half Chris Walter found the ball on his foot just outside the 6-yard box, but Mark Leibensperger reached out a leg to deflect the shot.
Bucknell got the all-important second goal in the 60th minute. Figgie lobbed a ball forward to Jesse Klug, who sped past a defender and then was taken down in the box. Grad converted the penalty for his sixth career goal.
"Friday night was very frustrating for our guys, and if we don't score that first goal from Figgie then maybe it's just as frustrating because we had some good play in the beginning of the first half," said head coach Brendan Nash. "Getting that first goal lifted up our confidence, because it was down from Friday night."
Pat Plourde, one of several Bison reserves who turned in strong performances, rocked the crossbar with a 30-yard attempt in the 71st minute. Bucknell played without all-star midfielder Chris Thorsheim, who was hobbled late in the Binghamton game, and starting right back Dan Bank, who received a red card in that game.
Sebastiaan Blickman filled in well at right back, and the Bison back four was solid all day in front of Fox. The junior goalkeeper finished with four saves en route to his fourth shutout in six career starts. Fox, who also blanked Hartwick last season, lowered his career goals-against average to 0.44 and extended his personal scoreless streak to 341:21.
"That's the mentality all of our student-athletes should have, that 'whenever it's my turn to go, I know what I'm supposed to do and I'm going to take care of business,'" said Nash. "Today we went a lot deeper because it was a Sunday game and it was humid, and the guys stepped up. Pat Plourde came off the bench and gave guys key rest minutes, so when they came back in they could pressure. With a 2-0 lead, Hartwick is going to play with more urgency, and it's hard to have the energy to defend. We had to make sure they didn't get that goal, because at 2-1 it's a whole different story. Our bench and our depth did a great job for us in the second half."
Bucknell outshot Hartwick 13-10 and had the edge in corner kicks 5-3. Buckner made eight saves for the Hawks.
The Bison are back in action on Wednesday at Saint Francis (Pa.) at 4 p.m.
