Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Hartwick
Klug?s Late Strike Helps Bucknell Pull Out 2-2 Tie at Hartwick
9/4/2015 11:27:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – A sensational shot by striker Jesse Klug with 4:50 left in regulation helped send the Bucknell men's soccer team to a 2-2 tie against host Hartwick on the opening night of the Mayor's Cup at Elmore Field. The Bison trailed twice in a game between two 2014 NCAA Tournament teams, but the first career goal from center back Zack Rockmore and the 25th career tally by Klug gave them a draw against the defending Sun Belt champions.
“This was a tough test playing a reigning NCAA Tournament team on the road in their home opener,” said head coach Brendan Nash. “That being said, giving up two goals on three shots on goal is disappointing from our perspective. We have to tighten things up in the defensive third.”
Bucknell (1-1-1) outshot Hartwick (1-1-1) 18-13 in the game, but the Bison trailed 1-0 after the very first of those 31 shots. The Hawks' Marc Russell fed Jamie O'Grady for a one-touch goal just 6:46 into the match.
The Bison drew even in the 28th minute after Chris Thorsheim was taken down about 25 yards from goal. Rockmore delivered his free kick over the wall and past Hartwick keeper Lenny Wilson. This is Rockmore's second season at Bucknell after transferring from Boston College, and it was his first goal at either stop.
The Russell-to-O'Grady combo worked again for Hartwick in the 63rd minute. Russell carried the ball down the middle of the park and laid off a pass to his left, where a streaking O'Grady slotted a shot inside the right post.
Bucknell pressed for the tying goal in the final minutes. Wilson made a tough save on Klug with 5:36 remaining, steering his near-post attempt over the end line. The Bison couldn't make anything of the ensuing corner kick, but just over a minute later Klug had the ball at his feet again at the top of the 18. He took a touch to his right to open up a bit of space and then fired a rocket over Wilson, off the underside of the crossbar and over the line.
Klug opened his account for the 2015 season, and his 25 career goals are 10th-most in program history.
“Jesse was pressing, and their keeper had just made a great save on him two minutes earlier,” said Nash. “It was a quintessential Jesse Klug goal where he made something out of nothing.”
Wilson made a save on a Sebastiaan Blickman header in the first overtime period, and after the break Rockmore grazed the crossbar with another long-range free kick. Hartwick took four shots in the second OT period, including a dangerous attempt from David Styles that went over the bar from 18 yards out.
Bucknell had a decent look after a free kick in the dying seconds, but an attempt from Adam Bradshaw skipped through traffic and just wide of the right post.
Wilson made five saves, while Bucknell's Mike Lansing had one. Bucknell had 10 corner kicks to two for the Hawks.
Earlier in the evening, Northern Kentucky defeated Saint Francis (Pa.) 2-0 in the Mayor's Cup opener. Bucknell will play Northern Kentucky on Sunday at noon.
