Roskos Strikes Twice in 3-1 Senior Day Win Over Navy to Clinch Patriot League Playoff Berth

Friday, October 30

Lewisburg, Pa.

7 p.m.

Bucknell University

7-8-1, 4-3-1

Navy

4-8-4, 2-5-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Navy	1	0	1
Bucknell	2	1	3

Photo by: Will Micciche

10/30/2026 9:42:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell men's soccer team clinched a Patriot League playoff berth in a 3-1 win over Navy behind two goals from Drew Roskos and five combined points from Bison seniors on Senior Day at Emmitt Field on Saturday night.

Bucknell (7-8-1, 4-3-1 PL) moved into sole possession of fourth-place in the league table with a Loyola (Md.) draw with Army. Loyola sits two points behind the Bison and the two sides will meet up on Tuesday for the final Patriot League matchday of the regular season. The Bison need at least a draw to clinch home field advantage in the Patriot League playoffs.

"We needed to respond today," said head coach Dave Brandt. "We had a poor performance against Army. They out-fought us and we can't let that happen, but tonight was much better in a number of ways."

The Bison celebrated its class of 2027 prior to the match for Senior Day: Rex Alphen, Jack Heintz, Kiko Hidalgo, David Krumov, Mason Lillis, Jack Lucas, Kasper Piela, Jakub Samelko and Cade Whitmire.

The Midshipmen struck first after just 10 minutes of play, but Roskos buried two brilliant goals to give the Bison a 2-1 lead heading into the half. Roskos' brace was the second of his career as the junior scored his fourth and fifth goals of the season.

Whitmire then struck in the 67th minute with a header to double the lead at 3-1. The Bison dealt well with Navy's pressure late in the match, and Thomas Yerbury made his fifth save of the match with a diving stop in the final five minutes of play.

"Drew had two great goals," said Brandt. "He's fought all year to come back and get his rhythm after an early injury and it was two great efforts from him tonight. The third one helps, but it's the next one that puts it out of reach and I still think we can do better."

Jack Illig struck first for the Mids for an early 1-0 lead against the run of play. Bucknell dominated possession early on, but Navy won possession and Ryan Skandalis began the counter attack with a through ball to Braedy Strothkamp. Strothkamp played in a ball that took a deflection, and Illig did well with a one-time shot that beat Yerbury.

Bucknell continued to control possession, and had a great spell where Navy rarely touched the ball for about five minutes before Roskos' goal in the 25th minute. Krumov and Piela connected on the wing, and Piela played a great service into the box. The ball was played in slightly behind Roskos, but the forward did well to get his head to the ball and guide his header perfectly off the right upright and in to equalize.

It was Roskos again who gave the Bison the lead just nine minutes later. Piela got involved again, getting his foot on a Navy clearance. Jacob Thomas stepped in to win the fifty-fifty ball and found Lillis with space. Lillis played Roskos in on goal, and Roskos took a great touch towards goal before firing his shot through the goalkeeper's legs.

Bucknell remained in control for the remainder of the half, and the Bison thought they had a penalty opportunity in the late stages. Jack Bejarano countered down the wing with a great run. He beat a defender in the box before getting taken down, but no foul was given for the poor challenge.

The Bison stayed on the attack early in the second half with plenty of pressure. The Bison had a run of three consecutive corner kicks as the Mids blocked several shots from the Bison. On the third corner in the 67th minute, Piela's delivery was headed back out to the senior and he sent in a perfect ball to an uncovered Whitmire at the far post for the 3-1 lead.

Navy got some attacking pressure late in the match, but the Mids had only one big opportunity to get back in the match. Luke Parker got his head on a corner kick in the 86th minute, but his effort was denied by a diving Yerbury. Yerbury made three saves in the second half.

Bucknell out-shot Navy 16-12, and the Mids have more shots on target with a 6-5 advantage. Navy's Sam Clark made two saves in goal.

The Bison seniors combined for five points on senior day. Whitmire's goal was his second of the season and the third of his career. Piela assisted twice in the match, and Lillis and Krumov also tallied an assist in the match.

"These seniors endured a really difficult freshman year and they had two really good years after that," said Brandt. "This year hangs in the balance. It's been a hard year and we've had to battle through a lot of things. We're still in it and we're still fighting, and they've been a great class with great careers."

Bucknell is set for another important match against Loyola at Ridley Athletic Complex on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. kickoff. The Bison will need a win or a draw in order to host a Patriot League quarterfinal match.

"Loyola is a really talented team and we haven't won on the road all year," said Brandt. "Like everyone else, they will certainly be a handful."