Men’s Soccer Drops Tough 2-1 Game to Army

Saturday, September 16

Lewisburg, Pa.

7 p.m.

Bucknell University

1-4-1, 0-1-0PL

Army

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

Army

Bucknell

Photo by: Lauren Medeiros

9/16/2023 10:07:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Despite piling up an 18-6 shot advantage and a 10-1 disparity in corner kicks, the Bucknell men's soccer team dropped its Patriot League opener to Army by a 2-1 margin on Saturday night at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium. Zane Domsohn netted his first goal of the season after the defending Patriot League regular-season champions had stunned the Bison with two goals early in the second half.

"The guys fought hard and we are playing really well, but again this is a young group that needs to learn how to win," said head coach Dave Brandt. "Over the 90 minutes we had the better of play, but we got sucker punched 30 seconds into the second half. We'll hang in there and learn from it."

Bucknell (1-4-1) took it to Army (3-3-0) in the first half, generating a number of quality scoring chances while outshooting the Black Knights 10-2. Charlie Holmes rocked the left post just five minutes into the match, and Holmes had another good look in behind 15 minutes later, but Harrison Faulkner charged well off his line to smother the shot.

Just moments after subbing on, Domsohn's first touch of the night was a clean look that skipped just inches wide of the left post. Then with six minutes left in the first half, Nick Prime pressured the goalkeeper for a ball that was headed forward by Domsohn, and he poked a shot that just trickled wide of the right post.

But in a match where Bucknell dominated possession for long stretches, it was Army getting on the board first only 30 seconds into the second half. Jubril Bamgbala chested a long ball back to Gage Lyons, whose shot was blocked by defender Matthew Owuso. The ball fell into the path of Army back D'Anthony Brown, who fired a shot just under the crossbar for his first goal of the season.

Bucknell nearly tied it in the 66th minute, but Ben Sheffield's clean header at the near post off a corner kick went wide of the target. Not even a minute later, Bambgala was stepped on while in possession in the Bison box, and a penalty was awarded. Cooper Warren scored from the spot to make it 2-0.

The Bison pressed forward and finally found a goal in the 77th minute. Jack Lucas sent in a long cross from the right sideline, and Holmes got plenty of foot on a bicycle kick, but the shot went right into the body of an Army defender. Cade McGrath's follow-up attempt was also blocked, but Domsohn cleaned up the rebound for his fourth career tally.

Here's the Domsohn goal. Spectacular bike attempt by Holmes set it up. #rayBucknell

Watch: https://t.co/Hg6rvnI0N2 @PatriotLeagueTV | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/AOikfYf9lF
— Bucknell Men's Soccer (@Bucknell_MSOC) September 17, 2023

Bucknell generated five corner kicks after the Domsohn goal, including three in the last five minutes, but the Bison could not find a late equalizer.

Bucknell used 20 players in the match, 15 of whom are either freshmen or sophomores. Lucas earned his first career start, and fellow freshman Jack Heintz played his first collegiate shift late in the first half.

The Bison are back in action on Tuesday with a non-league road match at Seton Hall.