Men's Soccer Hosts Xavier Saturday as Schedule Heats Up

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The Bucknell men's soccer team is off to a 4-2 start this fall, and from here on out there is no let-up in the Bison schedule. In addition to the full slate of Patriot League games on the horizon, Bucknell has four non-conference opponents remaining, representing the Big East, Big Ten, Atlantic 10 and ACC. The first of those, Big East power Xavier, visits Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium this Saturday at 2 p.m. The game will be streamed live and free of charge on Bison Vision on the Patriot League Network.

Bucknell and Xavier will be meeting for the first time in men's soccer, and prior to the contest there will be a free barbeque for the first 500 arrivals, starting at 1:30 p.m.

The Bison have enjoyed a full week off since their last game appearance, a 4-0 home victory over Howard last Saturday. Jesse Klug paced the offensive in that one with a goal and three assists for a career-high five points. Patrick Figgie, Chris Thorsheim and Jonathan Grad each added a goal and an assist. Defensively, Bucknell limited Howard to seven total shots and just three on goal, helping keeper Mike Lansing move into sixth place on Bucknell's all-time list with his 15th career shutout.

Klug is Bucknell's top scorer on the season with nine points from three goals and three assists. Thorsheim and Grad both have two goals and two assists, and Figgie has two goals and one assist.

All four of Bucknell's victories have been shutouts, and the Bison have outscored opponents 11-3 in six contests. Keepers Lansing and Clarke Fox have a combined .833 save percentage and 0.50 goals-against average.

The Musketeers, who made three straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2010-12, take their first trip to Lewisburg with a 3-3 record. Xavier had a three-match winning streak come to an end with a 1-0 overtime loss at Kentucky on Tuesday. Prior to that, Xavier had posted consecutive wins over Bradley (4-2), Cornell (1-0 OT) and cross-town rival Cincinnati (3-0).

Xavier has scored 10 goals and allowed 10 on the season. Alex Risdale, Matt Vasquenza and Garrett Halfhill lead the way with two goals each, and Preseason All-Big East selection Will Walker has a goal and three assists. Eric Osswald has seen most of the action in goal with five starts. He is 3-2 with 12 saves and eight goals against.

After the Xavier match, Bucknell will visit La Salle on Tuesday before starting Patriot League play against Army at West Point on Sept. 27. Interspersed into the league schedule are additional non-conference dates against 10th-ranked Penn State at home on Oct. 1 and 23rd-ranked Syracuse on the road on Oct. 21.

Two upcoming Patriot League opponents -- No. 12 American and No. 22 Navy -- are also in the national rankings this week. Bucknell's 13 opponents remaining on the regular-season schedule have a combined record of 39-27-10, and four of them are nationally ranked.