Tuesday, September 17
Ithaca, N.Y.
7 p.m.
Bucknell University
3-3-0, 1-0-0
0
at
3
Cornell
3-0-2, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Bucknell
0
0
0
Cornell
1
2
3
Photo by: Ben Popko
Men’s Soccer Falls on Road to Unbeaten Cornell
9/17/2024 10:03:00 PM | Men's Soccer
ITHACA, N.Y. – The Bucknell men's soccer team ran into a high-quality team on the road on Tuesday night and dropped a 3-0 verdict to Cornell at Berman Field. The Bison fell to 3-3 on the season, while Cornell stayed unbeaten at 3-0-2.
Backed by a brace from Alioune Ka, Cornell scored midway through the first half and added two insurance goals in the late stages, the last coming with just five seconds to play. The Big Red, who already have a 3-2 win over Penn State and a 2-2 draw with No. 14 Georgetown this season, entered the night just two spots outside the national top-25.
The loss overshadowed a terrific performance from goalkeeper Freddie Lapworth, who made a handful of highlight-reel saves in the match. Reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year Alex Harris, who had scored five goals in Cornell's first four games of the season, was robbed twice in the first half by Lapworth. Just over nine minutes in, Harris found space in the center of the box but Lapworth reacted quickly with a kick save. Later in the half, Lapworth got a hand on Harris' low drive and steered it into the post.
Bucknell was well-organized in the back against Cornell's speed and pressure, but Ka was able to capitalize on a rare mistake for the goal in the 25th minute. A mis-struck volley in Bucknell's own box fell right to Ka for the simple finish.
Bucknell's best moment in the first half came in the 29th minute, when Waldimar Kattrup played in Jack Lucas, resulting in a corner kick, and then Gianluca Marroni's header skipped wide of the far post before Mason Lillis arrived.
Lapworth kept it 1-0 deep into the second half with another flurry of saves. He dove to parry aside Connor Miller's free kick through traffic from just outside the 18, and then he smothered Ka's rebound attempt. Kapworth denied Ka again on a breakaway 63rd minute.
The Bison had their best sustained possession in the middle stages of the second half, but they just could not unlock Cornell's quick back line. The Big Red finally found their insurance goal in the 79th minute. A long ball played into the box was chested down on the run by Harris, and he chipped a centering pass to Ka for the close-range finish.
Cornell added one more from Balasz Feher with five seconds to go.
"I thought we battled well against a fantastic team," said Bucknell head coach Dave Brandt. "We had a good stretch in the second half down 1-0, but we just couldn't hold them off. Their quickness and strength combined with their setup, they are really organized and confident, make them difficult to play against. They are so fast up front with guys who can get in behind."
Brandt used 12 substitutes for this mid-week match slotted between two Patriot League games. The Bison opened Patriot League play with a 2-1 win over Navy three days ago, and now this Saturday they will host a Holy Cross side that is feeling good after pulling out a dramatic 2-2 draw with No. 5 Clemson on Monday night.
Saturday's game starts at 4 p.m., and is the back half of a soccer doubleheader at Emmitt Field. The Bison women will host Colgate in their Patriot League opener at 1 p.m.
Backed by a brace from Alioune Ka, Cornell scored midway through the first half and added two insurance goals in the late stages, the last coming with just five seconds to play. The Big Red, who already have a 3-2 win over Penn State and a 2-2 draw with No. 14 Georgetown this season, entered the night just two spots outside the national top-25.
The loss overshadowed a terrific performance from goalkeeper Freddie Lapworth, who made a handful of highlight-reel saves in the match. Reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year Alex Harris, who had scored five goals in Cornell's first four games of the season, was robbed twice in the first half by Lapworth. Just over nine minutes in, Harris found space in the center of the box but Lapworth reacted quickly with a kick save. Later in the half, Lapworth got a hand on Harris' low drive and steered it into the post.
Freddie keeps it 1-0! Second time tonight he's robbed Cornell's leading scorer. #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/HhN2XPA5ZN
— Bucknell Men's Soccer (@Bucknell_MSOC) September 17, 2024
Bucknell was well-organized in the back against Cornell's speed and pressure, but Ka was able to capitalize on a rare mistake for the goal in the 25th minute. A mis-struck volley in Bucknell's own box fell right to Ka for the simple finish.
Bucknell's best moment in the first half came in the 29th minute, when Waldimar Kattrup played in Jack Lucas, resulting in a corner kick, and then Gianluca Marroni's header skipped wide of the far post before Mason Lillis arrived.
Lapworth kept it 1-0 deep into the second half with another flurry of saves. He dove to parry aside Connor Miller's free kick through traffic from just outside the 18, and then he smothered Ka's rebound attempt. Kapworth denied Ka again on a breakaway 63rd minute.
The Bison had their best sustained possession in the middle stages of the second half, but they just could not unlock Cornell's quick back line. The Big Red finally found their insurance goal in the 79th minute. A long ball played into the box was chested down on the run by Harris, and he chipped a centering pass to Ka for the close-range finish.
Cornell added one more from Balasz Feher with five seconds to go.
"I thought we battled well against a fantastic team," said Bucknell head coach Dave Brandt. "We had a good stretch in the second half down 1-0, but we just couldn't hold them off. Their quickness and strength combined with their setup, they are really organized and confident, make them difficult to play against. They are so fast up front with guys who can get in behind."
Brandt used 12 substitutes for this mid-week match slotted between two Patriot League games. The Bison opened Patriot League play with a 2-1 win over Navy three days ago, and now this Saturday they will host a Holy Cross side that is feeling good after pulling out a dramatic 2-2 draw with No. 5 Clemson on Monday night.
Saturday's game starts at 4 p.m., and is the back half of a soccer doubleheader at Emmitt Field. The Bison women will host Colgate in their Patriot League opener at 1 p.m.
Team Stats
BUK
COR
Goals
0
3
Shots
1
22
Shots on Goal
0
10
Saves
7
0
Corners
1
6
Fouls
9
9
Scoring Plays
Alioune Ka (3)
GOAL by COR Ka, Alioune.
24:08
Alioune Ka (3)
Assisted By: Alex Harris , Liam May
GOAL by COR Ka, Alioune Assist by Harris, Alex and May, Liam.
78:56
Balazs Feher (1)
GOAL by COR Feher, Balazs.
89:54
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerM
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