Bucknell University Athletics
Men's Lax Begins Patriot League Play Saturday at Navy
2/20/2015 12:45:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Bucknell vs. Navy: Watch on PLN | Live Stats
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The calendar still says February, but conference play is here already as four Patriot League men's lacrosse contests are on the docket on Saturday. After splitting its first two non-league games in 2015, Bucknell opens league play at Navy at 11 a.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. The game was originally slated for a noon start, but the opening faceoff was moved up one hour due to the forecast of bad weather.
The Bison rebounded from a frustrating season-opening loss at Delaware to defeat No. 19/14 Bryant 7-5 at home last Saturday. Bucknell's defense was outstanding in that game, led by a 13-save performance from Patriot League Goalie of the Week Sam Grinberg.
Senior co-captain Ryan Joseph is the team's scoring leader thus far. Joseph had a hat trick in the Delaware game and two goals and an assist in the Bryant win. Dating back to his four-goal, one-assist effort in the Patriot League Tournament quarterfinals at Colgate last season, Joseph has 11 points in his last three contests. Sean Doyle (4-1-5), Thomas Flibotte (3-3-6) and Will Sands (2-2-4) have also been top point-producers. Flibotte entered his junior year with 48 goals and two assists, and he has already surpassed his career assist total in two games in 2015.
Navy is also 1-1 on the young season. The Midshipmen walloped VMI 21-7 in their opener, but then dropped an 8-1 decision to No. 8 Maryland last weekend.
Bucknell has beaten Navy four straight times to even the all-time series at 7-7. A year ago, Doyle scored four goals to lead the Bison to a 9-6 win at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Flibotte added two goals, including a buzzer-beater that gave the Bison a 4-2 lead at the half. Austin Heneveld scored twice and Brady Dove went 12-for-18 at the faceoff X to lead Navy.
For the Bison, this will be the first of three straight Saturdays against Patriot League competition, with Colgate (home) and Lehigh (away) to follow.
