Valentic’s Goal, Assist in Final Eight Minutes Sends Men’s Soccer to 2-1 Win at Lehigh

Photo by: Lianne Garrahan

Valentic’s Goal, Assist in Final Eight Minutes Sends Men’s Soccer to 2-1 Win at Lehigh

11/1/2023 9:20:00 PM | Men's Soccer

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Sophomore Marco Valentic scored his first career goal in the 82nd minute and then assisted on freshman Kasper Piela's first career tally 66 seconds later, helping the Bucknell men's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Lehigh on Wednesday night in the season finale at Ulrich Sports Complex.

In a frustrating season that saw a number of losses come in the final minutes of matches, this time it was the Bison scoring late to spoil Lehigh's postseason hopes and defeat the Mountain Hawks for the third straight season.

"It wasn't our best performance tonight, but regardless, the guys deserved this result for the way they have stuck with it all year," said head coach Dave Brandt. "We have been in every game all year, and I was very proud of how we played on Saturday at Lafayette. We found a way to stay in it tonight and scored two good goals."

It was a defensive struggle throughout, with the two teams combining for only one shot on frame in the first half. Bucknell's first attempt of the night didn't come until the 62nd minute, but by the final 15 minutes, the Bison had begun to threaten. Zane Domsohn got past a defender at the top of the 18 and forced Blake Koski to make a diving save to his right.

Five minutes later, Valentic and Charlie Holmes played a little 1-2 in the center of the park, and Valentic found space to drive to the top of the box and unleash a rocket into the top right corner. Just more than a minute after the restart, Holmes found Collin Murphy in the center of the area for a one-time shot that was blocked. But Lehigh's clearance went right to Valentic, who intercepted, dribbled neatly into the box, and slipped a pass to his right for Piela's hard finish through the goalkeeper.

MARCO! Here's the sophomore's screamer that gave the Bison the lead. #rayBucknell @ESPN | @PatriotLeagueTV pic.twitter.com/E2fTaIZKwz
— Bucknell Men's Soccer (@Bucknell_MSOC) November 2, 2023

And here's our second goal. Marco Valentic wins possession back, dances into the area, and feeds Kasper Piela for the freshman's first goal. Two big-time goals in the final eight minutes! #rayBucknell @ESPN | @PatriotLeagueTV pic.twitter.com/kHZD5Gzp1E
— Bucknell Men's Soccer (@Bucknell_MSOC) November 2, 2023

Naturally Bucknell would have to fight all the way to the finish, as the Mountain Hawks pulled one back with 4:53 remaining. Beckett Wenger volleyed a ball high in the air for Yusef Gueye, who caught just enough of his overhead attempt to loop it into the right side of the goal to make it 2-1.

The Bison had to deal with two defensive set pieces in the final minute, one on a free kick and another on a corner, but they ultimately finished it off to bookend their season with victories.

While Valentic and Piela notched their first goals, it was also a milestone night for freshman goalkeeper Rex Alphen, who made two saves on the way to his first career win. Alphen made his first start on Saturday, playing the first half in a 0-0 draw at Lafayette, and this time he was on for the full 90.

Bucknell finishes the season 2-10-4 overall and 1-6-2 in the Patriot League, while Lehigh wraps up the campaign 3-10-5, 2-5-2. The Mountain Hawks had a shot to grab the final Patriot League Tournament spot with a win and a Colgate loss, but neither of those results came to fruition.