Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Fairleigh Dickinson
Men's Soccer Blanks FDU 1-0 on Late Goal from Derleth
9/17/2016 3:09:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- After enduring a number of close misses throughout the first 76 minutes of the game, the Bucknell men's soccer team kept working and finally cashed in on a Ben Derleth rebound with 13 minutes to play. That gave the Bison a well-earned 1-0 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson on Saturday afternoon at Emmitt Field.
Playing at home for the first time since the season opener on Aug. 26, Bucknell (2-4-1) controlled much of the action and had a number of quality chances throughout.
Winger Crispin Muessle, making his first start of the season, maneuvered to the end line and centered a pass to Justin Galiani, who tested FDU keeper Sebastian Ferreira (eight saves) early. Sebastiaan Blickman used a pretty back-heel to tee up Nick King for a shot a few moments later, but again Ferreira was there for the save.
In the 12th minute Muessle cracked a half-volley just over the bar after Ferreira punched away a corner kick. About 11 minutes after that, Ferreira made his best save of the day, requiring quick reactions to tip Blickman's close-range header over the bar. On the ensuing corner kick, Zack Rockmore sent a shot from a scrum just wide of the right post.
In the final nine minutes of the half, Rockmore just missed with a 25-yard free kick, then his diving header off another re-start was barely over the bar again. With 3:44 left in the half, Blickman was tripped up in the box by a late-charging Ferreira after a nice through ball from Austin Lenart. A penalty was awarded, but Ferreira redeemed himself by saving Rockmore's attempt from the spot.
Just when it looked like it there might not be a goal in the cards, the Bison finally broke through late in the match. Justin Galiani sent a ball deep into the area from out by the right sideline. Blickman outmuscled the Knights' center back to settle the ball and get off a quick shot at the top of the 6. Ferreira made the initial save, but Derleth collected the rebound and calmly slotted the ball back into the left side of the net for his first goal of the season.
Not to be lost in the flurry of activity happening in front of the FDU goal, Bucknell's defense was solid for most of the afternoon. The Bison limited the Knights to six total shots, just one coming after halftime. Freshman goalkeeper Emmett Witmer made five saves to pick up a shutout in his first collegiate start.
Witmer's toughest save of the day game in the 73rd minute, a diving stop to his left to deny Marcus Marshall and keep the game scoreless.
The Bison thought they had a second goal just inside seven minutes remaining, but Blickman was ruled to be offside before finishing a diving header off an Adam Bradshaw cross.
Bucknell finished with a 16-6 shot advantage, while FDU led 10-4 in corner kicks.
"It wasn't pretty, but it was a 1-0 win," said head coach Brendan Nash. "The guys gutted it out today. It's tough when things aren't going your way. The old saying is that you need to get one positive result to get things going in a positive direction and change your fortunes around.
The Bison travel to Saint Francis (Pa.) on Wednesday at 3 p.m. before hosting Boston University in the Patriot League opener next Saturday at 1 p.m.
