Bucknell University Athletics
Men's Soccer Travels to La Salle, Army this Week
9/22/2014 4:12:00 PM | Men's Soccer
| Bucknell-La Salle | Watch Live ($) | Live Stats |
| Bucknell-Army | Watch Live ($) | Live Stats |
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Patriot League play in men's soccer begins next weekend, but before Bucknell can turn its attention to its league opener at Army, the Bison face a difficult road test at La Salle on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at McCarthy Stadium.
Bucknell dropped a 1-0 decision at home to a very good Xavier team on Saturday. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak and left the Bison at 4-3 on the season. Despite the setback, Bucknell has been stellar defensively this season, allowing only four goals in seven games. Mike Lansing and Clarke Fox have shared time in goal thus far, and the duo has combined for a 0.57 goals-against average. That is the 25th-best team GAA in the nation this season.
Offensively, the Bison have netted 11 goals in 2014, three of them off the foot of All-Patriot League forward Jesse Klug. The junior is tied for the Patriot League lead with three assists, and he ranks second in the league in points (9) and third in goals. Jonathan Grad, Chris Thorsheim and Patrick Figgie have two goals apiece for the Bison.
La Salle is 1-4-1 on the season, but all four losses have come away from home. The Explorers have a win (Stetson) and a draw (Temple) on home soil this season, with the 3-2 victory over the Hatters coming in their most recent game on Sunday. Matt Robinson scored the game-winner in the 88th minute. Robinson and Joe Farrell lead the team with two goals apiece.
Bucknell has beaten La Salle five straight times and owns a 9-2-3 lead in an all-time series that dates back to 1974. Last year at Emmitt Field, the Explorers took a 1-0 lead into the second half, but a penalty kick by Thorsheim and a 73rd-minute goal by Klug won it for the Bison.
Bucknell heads to Army for the Patriot League opener on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Clinton Field. Bucknell had been dominating the recent series with Army, but the Black Knights have now won the last three meetings, including a 2-0 win in Lewisburg a year ago. Bucknell won 11 of the previous 12 skirmishes. Army claimed 16 of the first 18 meetings and now lead the all-time series 20-13. As Patriot League rivals, Bucknell leads 13-12, as Army's first eight series wins came between 1931-43.
Last season, Army used a stingy defense to post a 12-3-3 overall record and a 6-2-1 Patriot League mark, which was good for second place in the league standings. It has been more of the same this year, as the Black Knights have allowed only four goals -- but scored just three themselves -- during a 2-2-3 start.
Army lost to St. Francis (N.Y.) 2-0 on Saturday and will host Central Connecticut on Tuesday before the Bison visit West Point. Nick Williams, Mario Da Silva and Shaban Abousaud have scored goals for the Black Knights this season. Army also features one of the nation's top goalkeepers in senior Winston Boldt. The Hermann Trophy candidate has an .840 save percentage on the season.
