Bucknell University
Army
No. 17 Army Downs No. 20 Bucknell in Men's Lax, 12-4
3/28/2015 3:47:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Connor Cook tallied five goals and two assists to lead 17th-ranked Army to a 12-4 decision over No. 20 Bucknell in Patriot League men's lacrosse action on Saturday afternoon at chilly Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. The loss dropped the Bison to 6-4 overall and 3-3 in the Patriot League, while Army improved to 7-3, 3-2.
Bucknell and Army typically play close games that come right down to the final seconds – 13 of the previous 21 meetings were one-goal games -- but in this one the Black Knights jumped out to an early 6-1 lead and never looked back. Will Sands opened the scoring for the Bison on the first possession of the game, but Cook tied it with a behind-the-back goal just over a minute later, setting off a decisive 6-0 Army run.
Back-to-back goals from Kyle Shanahan and David Dickson midway through the second quarter brought the Bison within striking distance at 6-3, but two quick goals from John Glesener and Avery Littlejohn to start the second half restored the five-goal margin and set aside any hopes for a Bison comeback.
Army came in with the second-ranked defense in Division I lacrosse, allowing only 6.7 goals per game. The Bison struggled offensively for much of the day, managing only four unassisted goals on 27 shots. Army goalie Sam Somers gobbled up 11 of those attempts, including six in the first quarter.
Ryan Joseph also scored for the Bison, his team-leading 22nd of the season. Junior Sean Doyle was held without a point for the first time in his career. Doyle entered the day with a 38-game points streak, tied with Army's Glesener for sixth-longest in the nation.
Freshman goalie Brac McKee made six saves in 42:17 of relief work. Army finished with a 29-27 shot advantage and a 27-23 edge in ground balls. The Black Knights committed 16 turnovers compared to only 10 by the Bison. Army won 13 of the 20 faceoffs.
The 12 goals allowed were the most by the Bison since a 12-11 opening-day loss at Delaware on Feb. 7. Despite the tough afternoon, senior Ben Kellar stood out with four caused turnovers and four ground balls.
Next up for Bucknell is a non-league game at Mount St. Mary's next Saturday at noon.
