Men's Soccer Runs Past Boston U, 3-0

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The Bucknell men's soccer team took a lead in the 22nd minute before adding two insurance goals in the second half as it earned its first Patriot League home win of the season, 3-0, against Boston University on Sunday at Emmitt Field. The game pitted two teams separated by just one point in the Patriot League standings, and helped Bucknell move from seventh to fifth in the standings.

Bucknell (5-5-3, 2-2-2 PL) got its three goals from three different scorers, including a first career goal from junior forward Kevin Gulizio.

The two teams looked to adjust to rainy conditions in the Lewisburg area, with the Bison looking the most dangerous on set piece opportunities. Matt Thorsheim whipped in a nice cross to the back post on a set piece that Stefan Gollisz managed to get a toe on at the 17 minute mark, but Gollisz couldn't put enough pace on the shot as the shot was saved by Boston University goalkeeper Michael Stone.

Bucknell broke the deadlock when Patrick O'Hara, who scored the game-winning goal in overtime at Holy Cross one week ago, latched onto a hard struck shot by Matt Thorsheim that bounced off the crossbar. Thorsheim did well to create space inside the box before unleashing a powerful shot that bounced off the bar and into the air. O'Hara was quickest to react as he volleyed home the ball into the far corner to give Bucknell a 1-0 lead that it would eventually take into halftime. Boston University had its best chance of the day just minutes after Bucknell scored, but a great block by senior defender Quinn Bredin helped keep the Terriers off the board.

Boston University looked to get back into the game in the second half as it pressed forward in the final 15 minutes of the game. The extra space in the opposing half proved valuable for the Bison in the 75th minute, as a nice pass from Zach Hurchalla found the feet of O'Hara near the top of the box. O'Hara helped the ball on to Gulizio, who controlled the ball at the top of the box before taking a touch to his right and firing a low shot into the near post.

The goal helped give Bucknell some breathing room after Boston University had thrown numbers forward for the past several minutes.

Bucknell completed its scoring at the 87:24 mark when Bernie Wright latched onto a long ball from Nick King on the right endline. Wright kept the ball just in play before cutting the ball back to Eddie Perez-Pelaez, who executed a nice flick to a rushing King. King poked the ball into the roof of the net, and Bucknell saw out the final minutes of the 3-0 win. The game marks the third time this season Bucknell has scored three or more goals, and extends Bucknell's winning streak to three. Freshman goalkeeper Luke Smith earned his second clean sheet of the year in the win.

King's goal was his third of the season, while Thorsheim, Perez-Pelaez, Hurchalla, O'Hara, and Wright each picked up assists on the day.

Bucknell will have two more home games in the regular season, hosting Binghamton on Tuesday before Army comes to Lewisburg on Saturday for Senior Day.

Gallery: (10/20/2019) Men's Soccer vs. Boston University

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Team Stats

Patrick O'Hara

Nick King

Kevin Gulizio

Bernie Wright

Players Mentioned

Quinn Bredin

Stefan Gollisz

Kevin Gulizio

Zach Hurchalla

Nick King

Patrick O'Hara

Eddie Perez-Pelaez

Luke Smith

Matt Thorsheim

Bernie Wright

Players Mentioned

Quinn Bredin

Stefan Gollisz

Kevin Gulizio

Zach Hurchalla

Nick King

Patrick O'Hara

Eddie Perez-Pelaez

Luke Smith

Matt Thorsheim

Bernie Wright