Friday, August 30
Lewisburg, Pa.
7 p.m.
Bucknell University
vs
Fairleigh Dickinson
Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
Season Preview: Men's Soccer Begins 2019 Campaign at Home Against Fairleigh Dickinson
8/28/2019 9:30:00 AM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell University men's soccer program will kick off its 90th season of competition when it hosts Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday at 7 p.m. before traveling to Canisius on Sunday.
SETTING THE SCENE:
What: Fairleigh Dickinson (0-0) at Bucknell (0-0), Bucknell (0-0) at Canisius (0-0)
Where: Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium, Lewisburg, Pa./Demske Sports Complex, Buffalo, N.Y.
When: Friday, August 30, 7 p.m. (FDU), Sunday, Sept. 1, 1 p.m. (Canisius)
Watch: Patriot League Network (FDU), ESPN3 (Canisius)
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com (FDU) Gogriffs.com (Canisius)
About the Bison
About the Knights/Golden Griffins/Series History
Season Preview
Below is a more in-depth look at the 2019 Bucknell men's soccer team.
While the Bison just missed the postseason on the final day last season, Head Coach Brendan Nash believes that his team has the experience, along with a talented group of newcomers, to put themselves in a position to qualify for the Patriot League Tournament for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.
The Bison lost three seniors to graduation in 2018, but return several veterans both along the back line and in goal.
"Emmett Witmer is a returning senior, and while he hasn't' been a starting goalkeeper the whole time, he has started quite a few games for us," Nash said.
Witmer will look to fill the void left by the graduation of Ryan Ott, who started 16 games last year.
However, the Cos Cob, Conn. native has proven to be more than capable when filling in. Witmer played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 win at Binghamton last year, and made a fantastic diving save to deny the Bearcats a late equalizer from the penalty spot. Witmer has also earned valuable postseason experience in his sophomore campaign for the Orange and Blue, making two saves in a narrow 1-0 quarterfinal loss to eventual Sweet Sixteen participant Colgate in the 2017 Patriot League Tournament.
Looking to push Witmer this season will be two freshmen in Luke Smith and Bennett Schwartz.
"We have a lot of confidence in Luke," Nash said. "Like Emmett serving as a backup to Ott over the years, we expect, if Emmett wins the job, that Luke will be a very adequate backup."
"I think there will be a very good core between the three of them." Nash added. "With the addition of Matt Brown and Augusto Lima as assistant coaches, their specialty is goalkeeping. "The goaltenders are getting a lot of repetitions and teaching that we think will be a huge asset for us."
A common theme of teams Nash has coached through the years has been one where the squad is built from the back, and Nash believes this year is no different.
The defensive unit begins with senior Quinn Bredin, who has been a four-year starter at center back and an anchor for the defense throughout his career.
"I believe Quinn is underrated and is capable of being an All-Patriot League performer," said Nash. "He will be our main guy and help control the defense for us."
Nash will have to find a center back partner to replace the hole left by the graduation of senior and two-year captain Tyler Peterson.
"Losing Ryan (Ott) and Tyler, while only being two players from the backline, will be tough to replace because Ryan was a leader and Tyler was one of our most vocal guys," said Nash. "Now all of a sudden we have to see who is going to close that gap of leadership and chemistry."
"We have a lot of guys who have played a lot of games across the backline who can fill in," said Nash. "We'll have to figure out who can step into the leadership roles this coming season."
Trevor Wiggins could be one of those guys who can step in, Nash noted. The junior from Annapolis, Md. impressed in the spring, and logged valuable minutes last season, primarily as a left back.
Other options in the center include Eamon O'Connor, Colin Eifert, and incoming freshmen Zach Hurchalla and Micah Umeh.
On the right side, Dany Teran returns for a fifth year with plenty of experience at the right back spot, with O'Connor and Umeh also figuring to be in the mix.
On the left, Nash said Bernie Wright is one of the most feared left backs in the league due to his speed at getting forward, as well as his ability to limit opposing attackers in getting behind him. Nash added Hurchalla could also fill in at the position when needed.
"We'll look for our outside backs to get forward," said Nash.
In the midfield, Nash stated that he feels his team is strongest in the center of the pitch, as well as having the most depth. With the options that Nash has, he added that there are still some things to work out on who will play where.
Returning All-League performer Matt Thorsheim will figure to see time in the center, along with Alex Clarke, Patrick Mahoney, and two-time All-League pick Nick King. The addition of Jameson Railey and Chris Masur, two more talented freshmen, gives Nash plenty of options. Stefan Gollisz and Cody Wax have also logged minutes in the center in the past.
With King and Thorsheim returning All-League pedigree, Nash says that working on chemistry in the center of the field between the two could make the combo one of the best in the Patriot League.
On the wing, Daniel Hallowell provided a strong run at the end of last season with an assist in back-to-back games, and will look to provide even more as he enters his senior year.
"Mohamed Tall is a freshman that I believe can surprise the Patriot League with his speed and his one-on-one ability." Said Nash.
Versatile juniors Gollisz and Wax have also both played on the wing in the past, and Nash stated that freshman Charlie Cubbage can also play out wide to give the attack a different dimension. Sophomore Jacob Mittman saw time in 16 games last season as an outside midfielder, and provided the assist in Bucknell's 1-1 draw at American. C.J. Uche could also look for a bigger role in the midfield as he heads into his sophomore season.
Nash also feels he has depth up front, with Kevin Gulizio returning as the most experienced player of the unit.
"Patrick O'Hara saw some time for us last year, and he's a workhorse," said Nash. He showed us this preseason that he will work hard up front for us, and once he finds his finishing technique he will be able to help us."
"What we're most pleased with is freshman Eduardo Perez-Pelaez," said Nash. He's a 6'3 forward and has showed us in the week of preseason that he is going to be ready to carry the load for us up top."
"We can play balls into him, he's good in the air, and his teammates already trust him," Nash added.
The Bison will open with four of their first five games in Lewisburg. After the season opener against Fairleigh Dickinson, Bucknell will take on Canisius on Sunday, Sept. 1 on the road before a run of three straight games against Mount St. Mary's, Drexel, and Saint Francis (Pa.) at home. The opening game in conference play is at Colgate on September 21, with the home conference opener coming six days later vs. American on Friday, September 27 for Family Weekend.
SETTING THE SCENE:
What: Fairleigh Dickinson (0-0) at Bucknell (0-0), Bucknell (0-0) at Canisius (0-0)
Where: Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium, Lewisburg, Pa./Demske Sports Complex, Buffalo, N.Y.
When: Friday, August 30, 7 p.m. (FDU), Sunday, Sept. 1, 1 p.m. (Canisius)
Watch: Patriot League Network (FDU), ESPN3 (Canisius)
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com (FDU) Gogriffs.com (Canisius)
About the Bison
- Bucknell finished 6-8-3 a season ago after a promising start to league play to finish just outside of qualifying for the Patriot League Tournament on the final day of the season.
- Head Coach Brendan Nash is set to begin his 20th season at the helm for the Bison. The Bucknell men's soccer program has had just two head coaches since the 1967 season with Craig Reynolds (1967-1998) and Nash (1999-Present). Nash currently sits at 180 career wins, and is tied with Reynolds for the highest win percentage as a Head Coach (.528).
- Bucknell began league play in 2018 unbeaten through its first four games, including a shutout win over regular season champion Loyola Maryland in Baltimore. The loss for the Greyhounds at home was one of only two throughout the entire season, and was one of only four times the Greyhounds had been shut out in 2018.
- Nash is joined on the coaching staff by three new additions in Matt Brown, Augusto Lima, and Patrick Holman.
- The Bison graduated three seniors from last season's team in Tyler Peterson, Ryan Ott, and Stefan Krystman. 18 letterwinners return from 2018, including eight who started in ten games or more. The Bison will also return seven of their 13 goals from 2018.
- Returning for the Bison is All-Conference pick Matt Thorsheim, who was named to the All-Patriot League Second Team a season ago, and was also named to the Preseason All-League Team on August 8. Senior midfielder Nick King is also back. He earned Third Team All-Patriot League recognition in both 2016 and 2017.
- The Bison were picked eighth in the Patriot League Preseason Poll with 56 points. Loyola Maryland was tabbed as the preseason favorite, picking up 12 first-place votes. Patriot League Tournament champion Colgate was picked second, garnering eight first-place votes. Lehigh (128), Army (108), Boston University (101), Navy (83), American (63), Bucknell (56), Holy Cross (32), and Lafayette (26) round out the poll.
About the Knights/Golden Griffins/Series History
- Bucknell will open the season at home for the sixth time in the last seven seasons when it hosts the Knights.
- Bucknell has dropped its last two home openers against Delaware in 2016 and St. Bonaventure in 2017, but won its most recent opening fixture at Mount St. Mary's a year ago, 2-0.
- Sophomore midfielder Jacob Mittman was involved in the second goal against the Mountaineers, after his cross deflected off of a Mount defender for an own goal and the Bison's second of the day. Trevor Wiggins also provided an assist on Bucknell's opening goal.
- The Bison have not won their home opener since a 4-2 win over La Salle in 2015.
- The Knights will be making their season debut as well in Lewisburg after going 7-7-4 a season ago.
- FDU finished in the fourth spot in the Northeast Conference standings to clinch a spot in the conference tournament in 2018. The Knights fell 1-0 to top-seeded LIU Brooklyn in the first round of the NEC Tournament.
- Fairleigh Dickinson is led by long-time Head Coach Seth Roland, who enters his 23rd season at the helm. Roland has guided the Knights to six NCAA Tournament appearances, including an appearance in the 2001 Elite Eight. He is the winningest Coach in FDU history.
- Bucknell is 2-6-2 all-time against the Knights, with the most recent meeting coming in 2017 in Teaneck. Seniors King and Bernie Wright both found the back of the net to give the Bison a 2-0 lead. However, the Knights found a late equalizer in the 87th minute before scoring the golden goal in the first overtime to take a 3-2 win.
- In Bucknell's last meeting with the Knights in Lewisburg in 2016, now senior goalkeeper Emmitt Witmer helped the Bison to a 1-0 win after notching five saves in goal. Quinn Bredin, Patrick Mahoney, King, and Dany Teran also made appearances in that game.
- The Golden Griffins will be making their season debut against the Bison on Sunday, with the all-times series in favor of Canisius as they hold a 3-2-1 record all-time against the Bison.
- The two teams met in Lewisburg last season in a 0-0 draw.
- Canisius went 4-10-2 last season, and 2-7-1 in conference games,
- The 0-0 draw in 2018 featured a combined 42 shots between the two teams, with six saves from each goalkeeper.
Season Preview
Below is a more in-depth look at the 2019 Bucknell men's soccer team.
While the Bison just missed the postseason on the final day last season, Head Coach Brendan Nash believes that his team has the experience, along with a talented group of newcomers, to put themselves in a position to qualify for the Patriot League Tournament for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.
The Bison lost three seniors to graduation in 2018, but return several veterans both along the back line and in goal.
"Emmett Witmer is a returning senior, and while he hasn't' been a starting goalkeeper the whole time, he has started quite a few games for us," Nash said.
Witmer will look to fill the void left by the graduation of Ryan Ott, who started 16 games last year.
However, the Cos Cob, Conn. native has proven to be more than capable when filling in. Witmer played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 win at Binghamton last year, and made a fantastic diving save to deny the Bearcats a late equalizer from the penalty spot. Witmer has also earned valuable postseason experience in his sophomore campaign for the Orange and Blue, making two saves in a narrow 1-0 quarterfinal loss to eventual Sweet Sixteen participant Colgate in the 2017 Patriot League Tournament.
Looking to push Witmer this season will be two freshmen in Luke Smith and Bennett Schwartz.
"We have a lot of confidence in Luke," Nash said. "Like Emmett serving as a backup to Ott over the years, we expect, if Emmett wins the job, that Luke will be a very adequate backup."
"I think there will be a very good core between the three of them." Nash added. "With the addition of Matt Brown and Augusto Lima as assistant coaches, their specialty is goalkeeping. "The goaltenders are getting a lot of repetitions and teaching that we think will be a huge asset for us."
A common theme of teams Nash has coached through the years has been one where the squad is built from the back, and Nash believes this year is no different.
The defensive unit begins with senior Quinn Bredin, who has been a four-year starter at center back and an anchor for the defense throughout his career.
"I believe Quinn is underrated and is capable of being an All-Patriot League performer," said Nash. "He will be our main guy and help control the defense for us."
Nash will have to find a center back partner to replace the hole left by the graduation of senior and two-year captain Tyler Peterson.
"Losing Ryan (Ott) and Tyler, while only being two players from the backline, will be tough to replace because Ryan was a leader and Tyler was one of our most vocal guys," said Nash. "Now all of a sudden we have to see who is going to close that gap of leadership and chemistry."
"We have a lot of guys who have played a lot of games across the backline who can fill in," said Nash. "We'll have to figure out who can step into the leadership roles this coming season."
Trevor Wiggins could be one of those guys who can step in, Nash noted. The junior from Annapolis, Md. impressed in the spring, and logged valuable minutes last season, primarily as a left back.
Other options in the center include Eamon O'Connor, Colin Eifert, and incoming freshmen Zach Hurchalla and Micah Umeh.
On the right side, Dany Teran returns for a fifth year with plenty of experience at the right back spot, with O'Connor and Umeh also figuring to be in the mix.
On the left, Nash said Bernie Wright is one of the most feared left backs in the league due to his speed at getting forward, as well as his ability to limit opposing attackers in getting behind him. Nash added Hurchalla could also fill in at the position when needed.
"We'll look for our outside backs to get forward," said Nash.
In the midfield, Nash stated that he feels his team is strongest in the center of the pitch, as well as having the most depth. With the options that Nash has, he added that there are still some things to work out on who will play where.
Returning All-League performer Matt Thorsheim will figure to see time in the center, along with Alex Clarke, Patrick Mahoney, and two-time All-League pick Nick King. The addition of Jameson Railey and Chris Masur, two more talented freshmen, gives Nash plenty of options. Stefan Gollisz and Cody Wax have also logged minutes in the center in the past.
With King and Thorsheim returning All-League pedigree, Nash says that working on chemistry in the center of the field between the two could make the combo one of the best in the Patriot League.
On the wing, Daniel Hallowell provided a strong run at the end of last season with an assist in back-to-back games, and will look to provide even more as he enters his senior year.
"Mohamed Tall is a freshman that I believe can surprise the Patriot League with his speed and his one-on-one ability." Said Nash.
Versatile juniors Gollisz and Wax have also both played on the wing in the past, and Nash stated that freshman Charlie Cubbage can also play out wide to give the attack a different dimension. Sophomore Jacob Mittman saw time in 16 games last season as an outside midfielder, and provided the assist in Bucknell's 1-1 draw at American. C.J. Uche could also look for a bigger role in the midfield as he heads into his sophomore season.
Nash also feels he has depth up front, with Kevin Gulizio returning as the most experienced player of the unit.
"Patrick O'Hara saw some time for us last year, and he's a workhorse," said Nash. He showed us this preseason that he will work hard up front for us, and once he finds his finishing technique he will be able to help us."
"What we're most pleased with is freshman Eduardo Perez-Pelaez," said Nash. He's a 6'3 forward and has showed us in the week of preseason that he is going to be ready to carry the load for us up top."
"We can play balls into him, he's good in the air, and his teammates already trust him," Nash added.
The Bison will open with four of their first five games in Lewisburg. After the season opener against Fairleigh Dickinson, Bucknell will take on Canisius on Sunday, Sept. 1 on the road before a run of three straight games against Mount St. Mary's, Drexel, and Saint Francis (Pa.) at home. The opening game in conference play is at Colgate on September 21, with the home conference opener coming six days later vs. American on Friday, September 27 for Family Weekend.
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