Tuesday, September 23
Loretto, Pa.
2 p.m.
Bucknell University
5-1-2, 1-0-1
4
at
2
Saint Francis
0-6-1, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Bucknell
1
3
4
Saint Francis
2
0
2
Photo by: Kateryna McLeod
Men's Soccer Completes Fourth Comeback Win of the Season; Enters National Rankings at No. 24
9/23/2025 4:28:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LORETTO, Pa. – On a day where the Bucknell men's soccer team entered the United Soccer Coaches National Rankings at No. 24, the Bison scored four unanswered goals to complete its fourth comeback win of the season with a 4-2 result over Saint Francis on Tuesday afternoon at the Stokes Soccerplex.
With the most recent United soccer Coaches rankings released on Tuesday afternoon, the Bison came in at No. 24. The Bison are ranked for the first time in the Patriot League era and for the first time in the coaches poll since 1974.
Jackson Sullivan's header in the 62nd minute went down as the match-winner, leaping above everybody on a corner to guide his effort into the right corner.
Drew Roskos scored two goals for his second and third of the season, and assisted the tying goal. Roskos cut the deficit in half with a beautifully taken goal from a tight angle. Goalkeeper Freddie Lapworth earned his second assist in three matches, playing a dangerous ball from his own box to connect with Roskos. Roskos then scored in the 89th minute to put the match to rest.
Bucknell (5-1-2) completed its fourth comeback win of the season after starting the match down 2-0 after just 19 minutes. The Bison pulled off comeback wins earlier this season against No. 23 Hofstra, St. Bonaventure and Old Dominion.
"These early goals are definitely not unlucky," said Brandt. "The goals are our fault and we need to be better and more organized. A Tuesday afternoon match is tough, and we need to come out and be ready from the start."
Saint Francis' first two goals came in the 9th and 19th minutes. Thero Mitchel III scored the opener on a good run of play by the Red Flash. Mitchel played a one-two ball to Brennan Libo and received a pass in behind the back line. Mitchell did well to slip in his effort past Lapworth to make it 1-0.
The Red Flash doubled the advantage just 10 minutes later on an own goal by the Bison. A shot from a tight angle looked to have beaten Lapworth initially. Sullivan got back to clear the shot away, but his kick deflected off of Lapworth and back into the net.
Roskos' first goal came in the 29th minute to halve the deficit. Lapworth created something out of nothing with a massive ball beyond the back line for Roskos to chase. The sophomore remained calm on the opportunity and volleyed in a bouncing ball over the head of the keeper into the side netting on a tight angle.
Jakub Samelko netted the tying goal early in the second half. Roskos was involved again, playing a key pass through the defense to a charging Samelko. Samelko brilliantly curled his effort in around the keeper to level the score in the 52nd minute.
"Drew's first goal was huge for us to get us back in the game," said Brandt. "He took it well and that was a big moment. We want our forwards to be involved and its not just Drew. Jakub has two goals in the last three matches and has been great."
Sullivan made amends for the own goal with the match-winner in the 62nd minute. Sullivan headed in a corner from David Krumov. Roskos then capped off the match with an 89th minute tap-in goal. Cade Whitmire won possession in the midfield and carried into the attacking third. He played the three-on-two situation into Zane Domsohn who intelligently passed across goal to Roskos for an easy finish.
The Bison out-shot the Red Flash 13-7 with 10 shots on target. Saint Francis' goalkeeper Diego Garciarena made six saves.
"We just continue to play our style and I think it gives us a backbone when things fall through," said Brandt. "I think it's also a testament to our bravery. We've come in against tough non-conference opponents and we're brave and confident in our play."
Lapworth made two saves, including an important stop in the 78th minute. Alex De Nettis found plenty of space at the top of the box and fired a shot into the bottom left corner. Lapowrth reacted quickly and deflected the ball wide to safety.
Roskos and Samelko each have three goals on the season. Sullivan netted his second of the season for his second career goal.
Bucknell is back in action for its first home match in the Patriot League against the preseason favorites in Boston.
With the most recent United soccer Coaches rankings released on Tuesday afternoon, the Bison came in at No. 24. The Bison are ranked for the first time in the Patriot League era and for the first time in the coaches poll since 1974.
Jackson Sullivan's header in the 62nd minute went down as the match-winner, leaping above everybody on a corner to guide his effort into the right corner.
Drew Roskos scored two goals for his second and third of the season, and assisted the tying goal. Roskos cut the deficit in half with a beautifully taken goal from a tight angle. Goalkeeper Freddie Lapworth earned his second assist in three matches, playing a dangerous ball from his own box to connect with Roskos. Roskos then scored in the 89th minute to put the match to rest.
Bucknell (5-1-2) completed its fourth comeback win of the season after starting the match down 2-0 after just 19 minutes. The Bison pulled off comeback wins earlier this season against No. 23 Hofstra, St. Bonaventure and Old Dominion.
"These early goals are definitely not unlucky," said Brandt. "The goals are our fault and we need to be better and more organized. A Tuesday afternoon match is tough, and we need to come out and be ready from the start."
Saint Francis' first two goals came in the 9th and 19th minutes. Thero Mitchel III scored the opener on a good run of play by the Red Flash. Mitchel played a one-two ball to Brennan Libo and received a pass in behind the back line. Mitchell did well to slip in his effort past Lapworth to make it 1-0.
The Red Flash doubled the advantage just 10 minutes later on an own goal by the Bison. A shot from a tight angle looked to have beaten Lapworth initially. Sullivan got back to clear the shot away, but his kick deflected off of Lapworth and back into the net.
Roskos' first goal came in the 29th minute to halve the deficit. Lapworth created something out of nothing with a massive ball beyond the back line for Roskos to chase. The sophomore remained calm on the opportunity and volleyed in a bouncing ball over the head of the keeper into the side netting on a tight angle.
Jakub Samelko netted the tying goal early in the second half. Roskos was involved again, playing a key pass through the defense to a charging Samelko. Samelko brilliantly curled his effort in around the keeper to level the score in the 52nd minute.
"Drew's first goal was huge for us to get us back in the game," said Brandt. "He took it well and that was a big moment. We want our forwards to be involved and its not just Drew. Jakub has two goals in the last three matches and has been great."
Sullivan made amends for the own goal with the match-winner in the 62nd minute. Sullivan headed in a corner from David Krumov. Roskos then capped off the match with an 89th minute tap-in goal. Cade Whitmire won possession in the midfield and carried into the attacking third. He played the three-on-two situation into Zane Domsohn who intelligently passed across goal to Roskos for an easy finish.
The Bison out-shot the Red Flash 13-7 with 10 shots on target. Saint Francis' goalkeeper Diego Garciarena made six saves.
"We just continue to play our style and I think it gives us a backbone when things fall through," said Brandt. "I think it's also a testament to our bravery. We've come in against tough non-conference opponents and we're brave and confident in our play."
Lapworth made two saves, including an important stop in the 78th minute. Alex De Nettis found plenty of space at the top of the box and fired a shot into the bottom left corner. Lapowrth reacted quickly and deflected the ball wide to safety.
Roskos and Samelko each have three goals on the season. Sullivan netted his second of the season for his second career goal.
Bucknell is back in action for its first home match in the Patriot League against the preseason favorites in Boston.
Team Stats
BUK
SFU
Goals
4
2
Shots
13
7
Shots on Goal
10
4
Saves
2
6
Corners
7
3
Fouls
6
5
Scoring Plays
Thero Mitchell III (1)
Assisted By: Brennan Libo
GOAL by SFU Mitchell III, Thero Assist by Libo, Brennan.
08:19
0
GOAL by SFU TEAM.
20:34
Drew Roskos (3)
Assisted By: Jackson Sullivan , Freddie Lapworth
GOAL by BUK Roskos, Drew Assist by Sullivan, Jackson and Lapworth, Freddie.
28:22
Jakub Samelko (3)
Assisted By: Drew Roskos
GOAL by BUK Samelko, Jakub Assist by Roskos, Drew.
51:24
Jackson Sullivan (2)
Assisted By: David Krumov
GOAL by BUK Sullivan, Jackson Assist by Krumov, David.
60:47
Drew Roskos (3)
Assisted By: Zane Domsohn , Cade Whitmire
GOAL by BUK Roskos, Drew Assist by Domsohn, Zane and Whitmire, Cade.
88:33
Game Leaders
Players
fwd
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
2
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
F/M
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
M
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