Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Mercer
Men's Lacrosse Opens 2023 Season at Home Saturday vs. Mercer
2/3/2023 4:25:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Bucknell (0-0, 0-0 PL) vs. Mercer (0-0, 0-0 ASUN)
When: Saturday, Feb. 4 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
Watch: ESPN+
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_MLAX
In-Depth 2023 Season Preview:
Bucknell at a Glance
• Bucknell opens its 2023 campaign at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium at the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex on Saturday. The Bison open up against Mercer for a second straight season.
• Bucknell posted a 9-6 (3-5 PL) record in 2022 and were back in the Patriot League Tournament after missing during the abbreviated 2021 season. The Bison have missed the tournament just three times since 2005. Bucknell fell to third-seeded Loyola in the PL quarterfinals.
• Bucknell got off to a 5-0 start last season and finished first in the Patriot League in assists per game, ground balls per game and points per game. They were second in goals per game and shots per game.
• Bucknell set program records in goals (203), assists (127) and points (330), as well as a host of individual stat records.
• Bucknell was picked sixth in the 2023 Patriot League preseason poll. Additionally, sophomore Connor Davis was one of 16 student-athletes named to the 2023 Preseason All-Patriot League Team. Davis, who earned PL Rookie of the Year last season, scored 45 goals to tie for second in program history and was named PL Rookie of the Week six times.
• Bucknell lost 12 seniors to graduation, including 2022 All-League defenseman Drew Wellington and standout faceoff specialist Nick Crovatto. The Bison welcomed 15 newcomers this year, including 13 freshmen.
• Along with Davis, Bucknell brought back second-leading scorer Dutch Furlong, who finished sixth in the Patriot League in both shots per game and goals per game.
• Midfielder Cam Doolan is one of two returning Bison that started all 15 games last season.
• Seniors C.J. Baroni, Jack Feda, Conor McCusker, Andrew Stanzel and Danny Striano were voted team captains for the 2023 season.
• Head coach Frank Fedorjaka is entering his 18th season leading the Bison. He possesses a 144-96 career record and is a three-time Patriot League Coach of the Year selection.
Mercer at a Glance
• Mercer also opens its 2023 season on Saturday. The Bears went 5-10 (2-3 SoCon) last season and are now back in the ASUN after calling the SoCon home over the last eight seasons.
• Mercer was picked sixth in the 2023 ASUN preseason coaches' poll. Fifth-year midfielder Ashton Wood earned a spot on the ASUN Preseason All-Conference Team.
• Bucknell and Mercer met for the first time ever in last year's season opener. Connor Davis scored six goals, and Cam Doolan logged five assists to lift the Bison to a 16-14 win over the Bears. Jack Feda also chipped in with three goals.
• Mercer is led by former Bucknell assistant coach and offensive coordinator Ryan Danehy, who spent four years in Lewisburg with the Bison.
• The Bears began collegiate competition in 2011, having started out as a club program in 2007.
A Look Ahead
• Bucknell remains at home to host Robert Morris at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11.
