Men's Lax Hosts Navy in Key PL Matchup Saturday

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Two teams trying to bounce back from overtime losses on the road in Patriot League play square off on Saturday when Navy visits Bucknell at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Game time is 1 p.m., with a live webcast available on the Patriot League Network at PatriotLeague.TV.

Both teams are receiving votes in the national polls after occupying spots in the top 20 earlier in the year. The Bison got out to a 3-0 start in 2016 before falling 11-10 in overtime at Colgate last Saturday. Navy suffered a similar fate, losing 10-9 in double overtime at Boston University to fall to 2-2 on the season. Both of the Midshipmen's losses have come in OT, with the other coming at home to Johns Hopkins on Feb. 9. Navy's wins are over Air Force (10-6) and Delaware (5-1). The Bison have also beaten the Blue Hens (13-5) this season.

Bucknell got out to a quick start at Colgate last Saturday, leading 4-1 at the end of the first quarter and 5-1 early in the second. The Raiders rallied to tie it at 5-5 at the half, and then Bucknell had to come back from a 10-8 deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Bucknell had the first possession of overtime, but Colgate goalie Brandon Burke intercepted a pass. At the other end, Eric Foote scored the game-winner with an outside shot.

Will Sands (2-2-4), Kyle Shanahan (2-1-3), Sean Doyle (2-0-2), Connor O'Hara (1-1-2) and Tommy O'Connor (1-1-2) were all multi-point scorers for the Bison. Matt Gilray had another huge game with a career-high nine ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Bucknell lost the faceoff battle for the first time in 2016, as Colgate claimed 13 of 25 draws. Jarett Witzal was 7-for-13 and Sam Hahn 5-for-12 for Bucknell. The Bison are normally strong in the clearing game, but they struggled in this one, converting just 13 of 21, including 7 of 13 in the second half. Bucknell split the goalie duties, with Christian Klipstein making four saves in the first half and Brac McKee tallying 13 saves after halftime.

Bucknell has scored at least 10 goals in every game so far and ranks 20th nationally in goals per game at 11.8, even though the Bison do not have a player ranked in the top eight in the Patriot League in goals per game. Ten different Bison have at least one goal so far, and eight have three or more. Doyle and Sands lead the team with eight goals apiece.

Bucknell ranks 14th in the nation and second in the Patriot League with a .615 faceoff winning percentage. Witzal has taken the majority of the draws for the Bison, winning 48 of 71 (.676) to rank eighth nationally and first in the Patriot League.

Gilray ranks second in the PL and 12th nationally at 6.5 ground balls per game. Alex Spring is fifth in the league and 26th nationally at 5.0. Gilray, who also plays short-stick defensive midfield, has gotten in on the scoring act, sparking transition with three goals and four assists through four games.

Bucknell's extra-man and man-down units are both off to good starts. The Bison lead the nation in EMO percentage (4-6, .667), and they rank third nationally in man-down efficiency (8-9, .889).

Patrick Keena is Navy's leader in goals (7), assists (9) and points (16). Jack Ray and Greyson Torain have six goals apiece.

Navy features one of the league's top faceoff men in Brady Dove, who is 29-for-58 (500) through four games. John Connors has played every minute in goal so far and has 24 saves with 29 goals against.

Bucknell has had Navy's number in recent years, winning the last five meetings to take an 8-7 lead in the all-time series. The Bison won 8-7 last season in Annapolis on Doyle's goal with 51 seconds to play.