Bucknell University
5-8, 2-4
Bryant
8-4, 3-1
Men's Lax Falls to Bryant in Fourth Quarter Battle
4/12/2025 2:52:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Farmingdale, N.Y. - Leyton Zorumski notched his first career goal in Bucknell's heartbreaking 16-14 loss to Bryant on Saturday afternoon. The Bison move to 5-7 overall on the season with the loss.
In the final five minutes of play with Bryant up by one, both teams were playing aggressive defense resulting in four turnovers in a row. With 1:13 left to play, the Bulldogs found themselves with a solid offensive opportunity but Bucknell's goalie, Luke Renaud made a huge save to give Bucknell a chance to tie the game and send it to overtime. The Bison began to clear the ball, but Zac Amend forced a turnover for Bryant and rounded up the ground ball to give possession back to the Bulldogs. Bryant secured the win with an empty net goal to win by two.
Amend's caused turnover in the final minute of the game was one of 10 caused turnovers that the Bulldog's had which successfully slowed down the Bison's offense. Bucknell only recorded four caused turnovers on the afternoon in response.
Bryant took an 11-13 lead in the third quarter after finding its offensive groove and out-scoring the Bison 5-2. Bucknell was able to answer with their own offensive push in the fourth quarter with Zorumski opening the floodgates with his first collegiate goal followed up by Jack Dudas bringing the game within one and then Owen Kovacs tying the game at 14 with seven minutes left to play. Both teams saw opportunities and turned over the ball before Bryant was able to find the back of the net to take a one-goal lead with five minutes to go.
Bryant's goalie, Scott Einarson played a major role in the Bulldogs victory as he recorded 13 saves on the afternoon in an effort to slow down the Bison's attacking force in such a close game.
Although Bryant started off the game with a goal, Connor Davis was the star of the first quarter as he notched three goals in a row to give Bucknell a lead. Kovacs then followed up that performance with a goal of his own to give the Bison a three goal lead. Bryant responded with two goals to end the quarter, cutting its deficit to one.
Bucknell struck first in the second quarter with Anthony Panetti finding the back of the net immediately following a timeout called by the Bison. Bryant responded with one of their own to bring the game back within one. The quarter would go back and forth in scoring the rest of the way with both teams answering the call each time, ending in a 9-8 halftime score in favor of Bucknell.
Seven different Bison scored on Bucknell's 14 goals. Davis led the Bison with four goals, Kovacs recorded three, Panetti had two, and Sean Berrigan, Luke Brunner, Zorumski and Dudas notched one apiece.
Renaud recorded six saves on the afternoon for Bucknell and the Bison went 15-for-17 on the clear.
The Bulldogs and Bison saw similar shots on goal with Bucknell edging out Bryant 27 to 22. In total the Bison took 48 shots to the Bulldogs 37. Bucknell and Bryant were also close in faceoffs won with the Bison winning 18 and the Bulldogs 16. Both teams also saw a high number in unforced turnovers with Bucknell having 15 and Bryant having 17.
Bucknell will return to Patriot League play after this loss as they look to head to West Point to face Army on Saturday, April 19 at noon.
