Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
Men's Soccer Earns Road Tie at American
9/29/2018 5:20:00 PM | Men's Soccer
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Once again there was late drama for Bucknell men's soccer as the Bison nearly held on for 90 minutes against a persistent American attack before the Eagles tied it in the 89th minute in a 1-1 draw at Reeves Field on Saturday afternoon.
The tie evens Bucknell's record at 3-3-3, with the Bison improving to 1-0-1 in the Patriot League on the year. The tie was also the Bison's first result at American since a 1-1 draw in 2013.
Two freshmen got their first points for Bucknell on the Bison goal after Alex Clarke scored his first career tally for the Orange and Blue to put the Bison on the board with five minutes remaining in the first half. Clarke was set up by Jacob Mittman's assist, the first of his career for Bucknell. On the build up to the goal, Nick King controlled the ball near midfield before playing Mittman on a long overlapping run. Mittman's cross from the wing found Clarke waiting at the back post, who took the shot on the volley to give the Bison a 1-0 lead.
The shot was Bucknell's only attempt through the first 45 minutes of action. The Eagles attempted six shots in the first period, two of which were saved by goalkeeper Ryan Ott.
American continued to pressure to start the second half, with Ott needing to make another save five minutes after the start of the period. Two minutes later, Ott was called into action again to save an attempt by American's Viggo Sjoberg.
Bucknell managed their first attempt of the half when Bernie Wright dragged his shot wide of the goal in the 64th minute.
Bucknell looked to ice the game in the waning minutes of the contest when King tested American goalkeeper Lucas Manso. Just a few minutes later, Clarke popped up again, forcing Manso into his second save of the day to keep the Bison advantage to one.
The late saves from Manso proved to be huge for the Eagles, as American's Jerry Zouantcha scored an unassisted goal with just over a minute remaining to tie the game at one. American looked to steal it late with two shots inside the final 60 seconds, but the Bison defense proved up to the task and blocked both attempts to send the game into overtime.
Each team had a chance in the first overtime period, with Ott coming up with another big save to preserve the tie in the 98th minute, while King pulled his shot wide of the American goal just 30 seconds later.
In the second overtime period, it was the Bison testing Manso, with Mittman looking to add his first career goal on the day. However, the American goalkeeper knocked away Mittman's shot in the 104th minute. The chance was the last attempt on goal for either team as the game finished 1-1.
"I told the guys after the game that we haven't had much success coming down to D.C. in the past." Head Coach Brendan Nash said. "Even though it was disappointing to give up the tying goal late in the game, there were some positives to take from the game, so we will take the point and get ready for Wednesday."
The tie marks the sixth occasion the Bison defense has given up one goal or fewer through their first nine games.
The Bison will play one more match on the road at Loyola on Wednesday at 7 p.m. before hosting Holy Cross on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m.
The tie evens Bucknell's record at 3-3-3, with the Bison improving to 1-0-1 in the Patriot League on the year. The tie was also the Bison's first result at American since a 1-1 draw in 2013.
Two freshmen got their first points for Bucknell on the Bison goal after Alex Clarke scored his first career tally for the Orange and Blue to put the Bison on the board with five minutes remaining in the first half. Clarke was set up by Jacob Mittman's assist, the first of his career for Bucknell. On the build up to the goal, Nick King controlled the ball near midfield before playing Mittman on a long overlapping run. Mittman's cross from the wing found Clarke waiting at the back post, who took the shot on the volley to give the Bison a 1-0 lead.
The shot was Bucknell's only attempt through the first 45 minutes of action. The Eagles attempted six shots in the first period, two of which were saved by goalkeeper Ryan Ott.
American continued to pressure to start the second half, with Ott needing to make another save five minutes after the start of the period. Two minutes later, Ott was called into action again to save an attempt by American's Viggo Sjoberg.
Bucknell managed their first attempt of the half when Bernie Wright dragged his shot wide of the goal in the 64th minute.
Bucknell looked to ice the game in the waning minutes of the contest when King tested American goalkeeper Lucas Manso. Just a few minutes later, Clarke popped up again, forcing Manso into his second save of the day to keep the Bison advantage to one.
The late saves from Manso proved to be huge for the Eagles, as American's Jerry Zouantcha scored an unassisted goal with just over a minute remaining to tie the game at one. American looked to steal it late with two shots inside the final 60 seconds, but the Bison defense proved up to the task and blocked both attempts to send the game into overtime.
Each team had a chance in the first overtime period, with Ott coming up with another big save to preserve the tie in the 98th minute, while King pulled his shot wide of the American goal just 30 seconds later.
In the second overtime period, it was the Bison testing Manso, with Mittman looking to add his first career goal on the day. However, the American goalkeeper knocked away Mittman's shot in the 104th minute. The chance was the last attempt on goal for either team as the game finished 1-1.
"I told the guys after the game that we haven't had much success coming down to D.C. in the past." Head Coach Brendan Nash said. "Even though it was disappointing to give up the tying goal late in the game, there were some positives to take from the game, so we will take the point and get ready for Wednesday."
The tie marks the sixth occasion the Bison defense has given up one goal or fewer through their first nine games.
The Bison will play one more match on the road at Loyola on Wednesday at 7 p.m. before hosting Holy Cross on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m.
Team Stats
BUCKNELL
AMERICAN
Goals
1
1
Shots
6
17
Shots on Goal
4
8
Saves
7
3
Corners
4
5
Fouls
21
18
Scoring Plays

Clarke, Alex
Assisted By: Mittman, Jacob
GOAL by BUCKNELL Clarke, Alex (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Mittman, Jacob.
39:45

Jerry Zouantcha
GOAL by AMERICAN Jerry Zouantcha.
88:54
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