Men's Soccer Set to Face Navy with Tournament Berth on the Line

Saturday, November 3

Lewisburg, Pa.

1 p.m.

Bucknell University

Navy

Photo by: Marc Hagemeier

Men's Soccer Set to Face Navy with Tournament Berth on the Line

10/31/2018 9:31:00 AM | Men's Soccer

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The Bucknell University men's soccer team will host the final regular season game of the season at home vs. Navy on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m.

Note: Saturday's game was originally slated for a 4 p.m. start time but has since been moved up to the 1 p.m. slot.

Setting the Scene

Who: Bucknell (6-7-3, 3-4-1 PL) vs. Navy (4-11-1, 3-5-0 PL)
When: Saturday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m.
Where: Emmitt Field, Lewisburg, Pa.
Watch Live: Patriot League Network
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com

About the Bison/Patriot League Tournament Outlook

Bucknell enters the contest having dropped four straight Patriot League matches, but continues to be in the hunt for a Patriot League Postseason berth on the last day thanks to a strong start in league play.
As of now, the Bison cling on to the sixth and final playoff spot in the Patriot League standings.
Bucknell currently sits on 10 points in the Patriot League standings, with Army West Point and Navy currently on the outside looking in with nine points apiece.
The top four teams of Loyola, Lehigh, Colgate, and Boston University have all clinched a spot in the tournament.
Loyola has also clinched the regular-season title for the Patriot League.
The final two spots, however, are still up for grabs, with American holding a two-point advantage over the Bison in fifth with 12 points.
A Bucknell win over the Mids on Saturday would place them comfortably in the tournament field on 13 points.
With some help, the Bison could even move to the fifth seed.
If the Bison finish even on points with American, Bucknell would hold the advantage thanks to a better result against top-seeded Loyola Maryland. Bucknell could also claim the fifth seed with a win and an American loss.
A tie complicates the situation for Bucknell, who would then need some help from American against Army West Point to earn a place in the tournament.
A tie would put the Bison at 11 points, which could be enough for the Bison to earn the sixth seed if American manages to defeat or tie Army in its matchup on Friday night.
A loss would eliminate the Bison from postseason contention, as Navy would surpass Bucknell with 12 points.
Alex Clarke picked up his second goal of the season on Sunday against Boston U that gave the Bison the lead in the 39^th minute of play.
Patrick Mahoney assisted on the goal, his first assist of the season and his first point for the Bison since he put away the game-winning goal against Navy on Nov. 4 last season. Mahoney's goal helped the Bison earn a home game in the Patriot League Tournament.
Mahoney and Clarke connected earlier this year when Mahoney's long diagonal pass helped play in Clarke on the build up to Matt Thorsheim's game-winning goal vs. Holy Cross on Oct. 7.
The Bison now have five players with at least two goals each: Thorsheim, Clarke, Michael Pavick, Tyler Peterson, and Bernie Wright.
Nick King (3), Cody Wax (2), and Daniel Hallowell (2), each have multiple assists for the Bison this season.
Ten different Bison players overall have recorded an assist this year.
A Bison win on Saturday would give Bucknell at least seven wins in a season for the seventh consecutive year.

About Navy/Series History

After starting the season winning just one its first 13 games, the Mids have picked up three wins in a row, including a 1-0 win at home to Colgate in its most recent match.
The Mids have outscored their opponents 5-1 in the last three games, and have picked up two clean sheets.
Before the three-game stretch, Navy had only managed to earn one shutout on the season, a 4-0 win vs. Howard on Sept. 5.
The three-game winning streak has vaulted Navy within one win of qualifying for the Patriot League tournament.
Two time reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Week Jacob Williams has been a key part of the Mid's success over the past three matches, scoring four of the five goals for Navy over that time span.
Williams netted the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Boston U on Oct. 20, scored a brace in a 2-0 win over Lafayette, and slotted the deciding goal on a penalty kick in a 1-0 win over Colgate on Oct. 28.
Williams leads the Mids in scoring with eight goals this season, tied for second most in the Patriot League.
Navy holds the all-time advantage between the two teams, 25-14-4, but Bucknell has managed to win the last three meetings.