Bucknell University
1-1
Robert Morris
1-0
Men's Lacrosse Falls to Robert Morris in Back-and-Forth Affair, 12-9
2/11/2023 6:31:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell men's lacrosse team battled Robert Morris in a back-and-forth affair that featured several lead changes and a number of long scoring runs for both squads, but the Colonials prevailed 12-9 with a big second-half effort. Bucknell moved to 1-1 on the season with the loss, while the reigning ASUN champions walked away with a win in their season opener.
Robert Morris opened the game with its first goal 58 seconds into the contest, and it added four more goals over a five-minute span to take a 5-goal lead in the first quarter before the Bison responded.
Bucknell rebounded with a big second quarter, outscoring the Colonials 5-0 in the frame as the offense picked up and the defense locked in. Connor Davis scored with 1:08 remaining in the first half to give the Bison their first lead of the game at 6-5. Dutch Furlong supplied the assist on the goal – it was one of five the junior registered on the day.
Freshman Will Hopkins, who joined Davis with a hat trick, scored less than a minute into the second half to give the Bison a two-goal lead, but the Colonials went on to outscore Bucknell 6-2 in the third period after being held without a goal for more than 21 minutes of game time.
2nd, 1:37 | It's now a 5-0 run for the Bison! We're all knotted up late in the second. @ESPN @PatriotLeagueTV
— Bucknell Men's Lax (@Bucknell_MLAX) February 11, 2023
Watch: https://t.co/n20oYqibHw pic.twitter.com/H3aUJ2ImD6
Trailing 7-5 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter, Robert Morris went on a 5-0 run to regain the lead, and Bucknell was never able to jump in front again. Three of the goals were scored within 33 seconds of each other, and the Colonials led 10-7 before Davis was able to put an end to the run with a strike at the 5:51 mark of the third.
The two teams managed just one goal apiece in the fourth, as Furlong scored off an Andrew Stanzel feed with 11:34 to go, and Robert Morris added one more with 9:57 to play. Stanzel led the Bison with three caused turnovers and finished second in ground balls (4) to Danny Striano (6).
Bucknell held a 25-17 edge in shot, but Robert Morris goalkeeper racked up 16 saves compared to Bucknell's five. Bucknell also won the turnover battle, 22-15, and went 4-of-5 on extra-man opportunities.
Patriot League Rookie of the Week Michael Meyer, who tied Bucknell's record for single-game goals by a freshman in last week's win over Mercer, added a goal, and senior Jack Feda rounded out the Bison goal scorers.
Up next, Bucknell hits the road for the first time this season to face Richmond on Saturday, Feb. 18.
