Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Army West Point
Men's Lax Rallies for Clutch 8-7 Win at First-Place Army
4/2/2016 5:45:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Freshman goalie Christian Klipstein made 14 saves, the faceoff tandem of freshman Jarett Witzal and sophomore Sam Hahn combined to win 12 of 19 against one of the best draw units in the country, and the Bucknell men's lacrosse team made a big second-half rally to get past Patriot League-leading and No. 15/16 Army West Point on Saturday at Michie Stadium.
Bucknell was facing a fourth straight nationally ranked opponent for the first time in team history, and the Bison made it through that difficult stretch 2-2 to improve to 6-4 overall and 3-3 in the Patriot League.
The Bison were in a tough spot, trailing the league's second-ranked defensive team 7-5 after Jimbo Moore scored with a behind-the-back shot with 6:28 left in the third quarter. But Bucknell responded in a big way, scoring four straight times to take the lead for good.
Reserve attackman Quinn Collison scored two of those goals, including a tally off a Will Sands feed with 11 seconds left in the third quarter that put Bucknell in front for the first time all day at 6-5. Sean Doyle potted his second of the day at 8:46 of the fourth quarter to give the Bison a two-goal cushion.
After Cole Johnson scored for the Black Knights (7-3, 4-1 PL) -- the only goal all day for Army's high-powered starting attack unit -- Tommy O'Connor logged the biggest goal of the game for the Bison. With the 30-second shot clock activated, O'Connor scored from distance on the left flank with a high lefty shot to make it 8-6 with 2:39 to go.
Hahn and Alex Spring combined for the faceoff win, but Army got the ball back with a minute to play after killing off a 30-second penalty. Klipstein made a save on Nate Jones with 30 seconds left, but after taking the ball to safety behind the goal he was pushed over the end line.
Army's David Symmes then scored with 14 seconds remaining, but the Black Knights never had a chance for the equalizer as Dan Grabher false-started on the ensuing faceoff.
Army was one of the hottest teams in the country entering the day. The Black Knights came in with a five-game winning streak, and they sat all alone in first place with a 4-0 Patriot League mark. Thanks to the No. 2 faceoff unit in Division I lacrosse -- they had a .693 conversion rate with Alex Daly (.713) and Grabher (.698) both ranked in the top four nationally while platooning at the X -- Army was averaging a league-high 13.3 goals per game.
Bucknell held the Black Knights to a season-low seven goals, however, as Witzal (7-12) and Hahn (5-7) had stellar days at the faceoff spot, while Spring chipped in with seven ground balls. Klipstein, whose brother Reeves is a starting defenseman for Army, continued his outstanding rookie season by making eight of his 14 saves in the second half.
Army goalie A.J. Barretto also had a strong game with 12 saves, as Bucknell finished with a slim 34-32 shot advantage. Army led 29-21 in ground balls.
Bucknell trailed 2-0 early in the game but tied it on goals by Doyle and Thomas Flibotte. Ted Glesener put Army back on top 3-2 with a man-up goal, but the Bison closed out a low-scoring first half with a flourish. Klipstein made a save followed by a long outlet pass, and then freshman Reed Malas scored with just 3.5 seconds on the clock to make it 3-3 at the break.
This was Bucknell's final road game of the regular season. The Bison host Mount St. Mary's in a non-league game, followed by Patriot League rivals Lafayette and Lehigh over the next three Friday nights.
