Saturday, September 28
Germantown, Md. (Maryland SoccerPlex)
7 p.m.
Bucknell University
4-3-1, 2-0-1
1
at
0
American
2-3-4, 1-1-1
1
2
F
Bucknell
1
0
1
American
0
0
0
Photo by: Lianne Garrahan
Men’s Soccer Holds Off American 1-0 to Remain Unbeaten in Patriot League Play
9/28/2024 10:04:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BOYDS, Md. – Sophomore David Krumov scored his first career goal in the ninth minute and the Bucknell men's soccer team held strong after going down to 10 men late in the match en route to a 1-0 win over American on Saturday night at the Maryland SoccerPlex. The Bison improved to 4-3-1 on the season and remained unbeaten and top-of-the-table in the Patriot League at 2-0-1.
One of the stories of the night was the play of the Bison bench. Eight reserves saw action, including extended shifts from freshmen Collin Sullivan and Noah Handzel. Kiko Hidalgo, a sophomore who missed all of last season with an injury, even played out of position at center back for the last 12 minutes after the sending off.
It was a great night for the Bison back line, with Ben Sheffield, Jack Roberto, and Jackson Sullivan thwarting American's dangerous forwards for most of the night. Collin Sullivan, Jackson's younger brother, turned in a strong 24-minute shift off the bench, and wing back Jack Lucas was a menace all night on the left side.
Roberto was called into action early, sprinting back for a well-timed slide tackle as Sam Hershey got in behind just two minutes into the match. That would be American's only quality look of the first half, as Bucknell saw most of the ball with its possession style working well.
Krumov provided the lead for his team just nine minutes in. He stepped through to intercept an outlet from goalkeeper Matthew Tibbets, went past one defender, and then roofed a shot over Tibbets.
Cade McGrath put a quality shot on goal in the 58th minute, forcing a diving save from Tibbets. American evened up the possession a bit in the second half, but the Bison seemed to be well in control until Jackson Sullivan was shown a second yellow card and sent off with 12:07 remaining in the game.
Troy Elgersma grazed the crossbar with his ensuing free kick from just outside the box. Down to 10, the Bison successfully defended two set pieces and a handful of crosses as the Eagles sent waves forward.
"Any Patriot League game is tough to win, especially on the road, and I thought the team showed good resolve tonight," said head coach Dave Brandt. "We had a lot of guys who hadn't played much step up big for us. I thought we were in control of the game for much of it. The team showed good quality and good grit, and we're happy to be going home with the three points."
American's home field is undergoing renovations, so the Eagles are playing their home games at the Maryland SoccerPlex this season. That was just fine for the Bison, who had been 1-12-1 against American in Washington, D.C., with the lone win a 1-0 verdict in 2004.
These two teams played to a 3-3 draw in Lewisburg last season, but there were far fewer chances in this one with only 11 total shots. Goalkeepers Tibbets and Freddie Lapworth were both credited with two saves. Lapworth's best of the night came in the 73rd minute, when he went high to tip Nicholas Shirley's header over the bar.
Bucknell has two home matches next week, including a home date with No. 6 West Virginia on Tuesday evening. The Mountaineers are 5-0-3 on the season after finishing in a 0-0 draw with Kentucky on Friday night in Morgantown.
One of the stories of the night was the play of the Bison bench. Eight reserves saw action, including extended shifts from freshmen Collin Sullivan and Noah Handzel. Kiko Hidalgo, a sophomore who missed all of last season with an injury, even played out of position at center back for the last 12 minutes after the sending off.
It was a great night for the Bison back line, with Ben Sheffield, Jack Roberto, and Jackson Sullivan thwarting American's dangerous forwards for most of the night. Collin Sullivan, Jackson's younger brother, turned in a strong 24-minute shift off the bench, and wing back Jack Lucas was a menace all night on the left side.
Roberto was called into action early, sprinting back for a well-timed slide tackle as Sam Hershey got in behind just two minutes into the match. That would be American's only quality look of the first half, as Bucknell saw most of the ball with its possession style working well.
Krumov provided the lead for his team just nine minutes in. He stepped through to intercept an outlet from goalkeeper Matthew Tibbets, went past one defender, and then roofed a shot over Tibbets.
Here's a look at David Krumov's first career goal! Great anticipation to step in front of the outlet and then a clinical finish. #rayBucknell
— Bucknell Men's Soccer (@Bucknell_MSOC) September 28, 2024
Watch: https://t.co/AsWk8aksMa@PatriotLeagueHQ | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/Etkyyb64tX
Cade McGrath put a quality shot on goal in the 58th minute, forcing a diving save from Tibbets. American evened up the possession a bit in the second half, but the Bison seemed to be well in control until Jackson Sullivan was shown a second yellow card and sent off with 12:07 remaining in the game.
Troy Elgersma grazed the crossbar with his ensuing free kick from just outside the box. Down to 10, the Bison successfully defended two set pieces and a handful of crosses as the Eagles sent waves forward.
"Any Patriot League game is tough to win, especially on the road, and I thought the team showed good resolve tonight," said head coach Dave Brandt. "We had a lot of guys who hadn't played much step up big for us. I thought we were in control of the game for much of it. The team showed good quality and good grit, and we're happy to be going home with the three points."
American's home field is undergoing renovations, so the Eagles are playing their home games at the Maryland SoccerPlex this season. That was just fine for the Bison, who had been 1-12-1 against American in Washington, D.C., with the lone win a 1-0 verdict in 2004.
These two teams played to a 3-3 draw in Lewisburg last season, but there were far fewer chances in this one with only 11 total shots. Goalkeepers Tibbets and Freddie Lapworth were both credited with two saves. Lapworth's best of the night came in the 73rd minute, when he went high to tip Nicholas Shirley's header over the bar.
Bucknell has two home matches next week, including a home date with No. 6 West Virginia on Tuesday evening. The Mountaineers are 5-0-3 on the season after finishing in a 0-0 draw with Kentucky on Friday night in Morgantown.
Team Stats
BISON
EAGLES
Goals
1
0
Shots
3
8
Shots on Goal
3
2
Saves
2
2
Corners
4
6
Fouls
12
10
Scoring Plays
David Krumov (1)
GOAL by BISON Krumov, David.
08:56
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
def
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M/D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerF/M
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
D
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