Men’s Soccer Scores Late Goal in Wild 3-3 Draw with American

Sunday, October 1

Lewisburg, Pa.

4 p.m.

Bucknell University

1-7-1, 0-3-1PL

American

2-3-3, 0-1-2PL

Team	1	2	Final F
American	1	2	3
Bucknell	2	1	3

Photo by: Lianne Garrahan

Men’s Soccer Scores Late Goal in Wild 3-3 Draw with American

10/1/2023 7:44:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Zane Domsohn's flicked header on an 84th-minute corner kick helped the Bucknell men's soccer team escape with a 3-3 draw in a wild Patriot League affair on Sunday evening at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium. Charlie Holmes and Brennan Gac also scored for the Bison, who earned their first point in four league matches thus far.

The Bison led 2-1 after a strong first half, but the Eagles (2-3-3, 0-1-2 PL) had them on the ropes in the second stanza, surging ahead on goals from Sam Hershey in the 55th minute and Dilane Zouantcha in the 70th.

Jake Nicoll, making his second career start and first since beating Mount St. Mary's in the season opener, made two critical saves in quick succession in the 82nd minute to keep it a 3-2 game, and that proved big when Domsohn tied it less than two minutes later. Jakub Samelko's shot from just outside the box deflected out for a corner, and then Marco Valentic's near-post delivery was flicked home by Domsohn for his second goal of the season.

Here's the tying goal from Zane Domsohn in the 84th minute! Beauty of a header off the Marco Valentic corner kick, and the Bison earned a hard-fought point in a 3-3 draw with American. #rayBucknell @PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/c7cxTz6BNs
— Bucknell Men's Soccer (@Bucknell_MSOC) October 1, 2023

American should have taken a 1-0 lead just nine minutes in when a cross leaked across the 6-yard box to the back side, but Ethan Boyle smashed the point-blank shot into the left post. Bucknell did capitalize on its first good chance four minutes later, as Holmes beat his man to the end line and was tripped up, resulting in a clear penalty. The sophomore took it himself and buried his team-leading third goal of the season.

That early 1-0 lead lasted all of 14 seconds. Just after the restart, American sent a long ball into the box, and Troy Elgersma slipped a pass into Nevin Baer for the finish from the right side of the area.

Nicoll robbed Hershey on a breakaway in the 17th minute to keep it 1-1, and then Bucknell regained the lead late in the half through Gac's diving header, which came just moments after he subbed on for the first time. Jackson Sullivan's long throw-in was headed toward the center of the 6-yard box by Ben Sheffield, and then Gac finished with a brave header with a defender just in front of him. It was the first career goal for the senior.

What a moment for Brennan Gac! The senior gets his first goal on a sweet header off the long throw from Jackson Sullivan, flicked on by Ben Sheffield. That one meant a lot, and the Bison lead 2-1 at the half. #rayBucknell

WATCH: https://t.co/91mLhcMn2j @PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/bHuZq4NY6A
— Bucknell Men's Soccer (@Bucknell_MSOC) October 1, 2023

American had the Bison under duress for most of the second half and was able to flip the game around. Hershey, who was a menace off the bench with five shots on goal, collected a pass with his back to goal and was able to turn on his defender and score his second goal of the year. In the 70th minute, Zouantcha collected a mis-struck headed back pass from a Bison defender, cut inside and fired a low, left-footed shot that Nicoll got a palm on, but the ball popped up and spun across the line to make it 3-2.

The Bison found the late answer, however, which impressed head coach Dave Brandt.

"We really struggled in the second half, but I'm proud of the fight from the whole group," said Brandt. "To be in that environment in the second half where we aren't playing well but still found a way to score a late goal was a big moment. It's a young team that is battling for every inch, but I love the character and the fight in our team."

American, who has played in each of the last three Patriot League Tournament finals, finished with a 17-10 shot advantage and had a 7-3 edge in corner kicks. Nicoll made six saves for the Bison, who scored three goals against American for the third time in 29 all-time meetings.

Bucknell hits the road for its next two matches, with a trip to Colgate up next on Saturday at 5 p.m.