Bucknell University
4-10, 2-6PL
Navy
8-6, 5-3PL
Men's Lacrosse Battles in 13-12 Season-Ending Overtime Loss at Navy
4/26/2024 9:41:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Bucknell men's lacrosse team fought tooth and nail to extend its 2024 campaign by one extra period in Friday's season finale at Navy, but the Midshipmen scored just over two minutes into the overtime to defeat the Bison 13-12 in a back-and-forth contest at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Senior Richie Striano, in his final game for the Orange & Blue, scored his first goal of the season to tie the game at 12-12 with 2:19 remaining in the fourth quarter after the Bison trailed by as many as four in the second half. The Bison outscored the Mids 3-1 in the fourth to complete the comeback.
STRIANO! Gets the equalizer with just over 2 minutes to play! What a moment for the senior! @PatriotLeagueTV@ESPN https://t.co/PcxJFVJvHp pic.twitter.com/TjISZ9PPC9
— Bucknell Men's Lax (@Bucknell_MLAX) April 27, 2024
The game saw four lead changes in the first half before a 3-0 Navy run in the second quarter gave the Mids an advantage that lasted until late in the third. A 4-0 Bison run in the third tied the game at 9-apiece, but three more unanswered goals by the Mids put them in front until the Striano strike. The two teams combined for 10 goals in the back-and-forth third quarter, scoring five each.
Bucknell saw two late chances to pull off the upset after Striano tied the game late. Peter Grandolfo caused a Navy turnover with 49 seconds left in regulation, and after a Bucknell timeout was used to set up an attack, Will Hopkins found the back of the net with eight seconds remaining, but he was called for a crease violation. Bucknell won the faceoff to start the overtime period, and Hans Huber got a potential game-winning shot off that was stopped by the Navy keeper. It was Navy's Dane Swanson that scored the winning goal that sent the Mids into the postseason with a 5-3 league record.
Jaz Zanelli went the distance in goal for the Bison and registered his second double-digit save performance in three games, stopping 12 shots. Sean Berrigan and Henry Boykin both finished the game with three points on a goal and two assists each. Michael Meyer scored two goals. Will Pickering led Bucknell's defensive efforts with three caused turnovers and six ground balls.
Along with Striano, senior Patrick Ciquera and Ethan Gyllenhaal made the most of their last games as Bison, scoring one goal each. Senior Duncan Hill added a caused turnover and two ground balls.
Connor Davis scored his 38th goal of the season, which is tied for second-most in the Patriot League and tied for ninth-most in a single season in program history. Davis ends his junior campaign ranked fifth in the Bucknell record book with 108 career goals.
Navy's Xavier Arline led the Mids with three goals. The Mids outshot the Bison 47-33 for the game and won 20 of 28 faceoffs. They also capitalized on four of six extra-man opportunities.
Bucknell ends its 2024 campaign with a 4-10 (2-6 PL) record.
