Men's Soccer Clinches Third Seed in PL Tournament With 2-1 Win Over Loyola; Hosts Loyola Again on Saturday in PL Quarterfinal

Tuesday, November 3

Baltimore, Md,

6 p.m.

Bucknell University

8-8-1, 5-3-1

Loyola

4-10-3, 3-4-2

Team	1	2	Final F
Bucknell	2	0	2
Loyola Maryland	1	0	1

11/3/2026 8:52:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BALTIMORE, Md. – Cade Whitmire and Jakub Samelko scored goals to help the Bucknell men's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Loyola at the Ridley Athletic Complex on Tuesday night. With the win, the Bison will host the Greyhounds again in the Patriot League quarterfinal at Emmitt Field on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Bucknell (8-8-1, 5-3-1 PL) will host the Greyhounds as the third seed in the tournament. The Bison jumped Lehigh in the table with Lafayette's 2-1 win over the Mountain Hawks.

The win marked Bucknell's first win of the season on the road as both the Bison and Greyhounds were in play for a top-four seed.

This was the second straight match that the Bison overcame an early deficit with two first-half goals. Loyola went down to 10 men in the match after Chris Ogor was shown red for denying a goal scoring opportunity from Drew Roskos.

Despite being down a man, the Greyhounds pressed on in the second half with several opportunities to equalize.

Bucknell controlled the opening 15 minutes of the match in the attacking third, but did not trouble goalkeeper Felix Huebner. Huebner finished the match with five saves.

Loyola quickly flipped the momentum with a great counter attack that led to the Greyhound's leading goal scorer Tyler Flynn finding the score sheet in the 18th minute. Nino Venezia took possession and played a great ball through to Flynn who took a touch around Thomas Yebury and finished in the open net.

Bucknell struggled to get back in possession over the next 10 minutes, but a brilliant moment from the Bison led to the equalizer. Krumov won possession back for the Bison in the attacking third, and the Bison played five one-touch passes to send Whitmire through on goal. Whitmire muscled off a defender before slotting home the finish in the bottom right corner.

A look at Whitmire's second goal in as many matches! https://t.co/Tz505iStFX @PatriotLeague | @espn https://t.co/nfBD5kkCgU
— Bucknell Men's Soccer (@Bucknell_MSOC) November 4, 2026

Just 10 minutes later, the Bison took the lead on Samelko's first goal of the season. This time is was Noah Handzel winning back possession. Jack Heintz got on the ball and found Mason Lillis who played in Samelko. Samelko darted down the wing and smashed his shot into the bottom left corner.

Jakub Samelko's first goal of the season comes in a huge moment for the Bison! Lillis and Heintz assist as the senior trio links up for the goal! https://t.co/Tz505iStFX @PatriotLeague | @espn https://t.co/FdG9f3Wdjl
— Bucknell Men's Soccer (@Bucknell_MSOC) November 4, 2026

Samelko, who has struggled with injuries this season, scored his first goal of the season in a big moment for the Bison. Lillis delivered his second assist in as many matches, and Heintz earned his first career point.

The Bison nearly scored a third in the final minute of the half as Huebner came way out of his goal to deny a scoring chance. Huebner won the initial challenge before Hamish Riddell's second-chance shot from distance was denied.

It was only 11 minutes into the half when Ogor was sent off. Roskos got in behind the back line, and Ogor took down the Bison forward at the edge of the box. Jack Lucas' ensuing free kick just missed the post wide.

Loyola had several good chances in the second half. The Greyhounds jumped on a header back to Yerbury who came out of the box. Cal Lackner attempted a shot from 35 yards out, but Yerbury made a great stop to deny the chance.

Just minutes later, Whitmire nearly doubled the lead on a breakaway opportunity. Chayse Snyder made a strong challenge in the attacking third, and Whitmire had just one defender to beat. The space opened up for a shot, but his attempt was denied by the keeper.

Whitmire's goal was his third of the season and his second in as many matches. Jack Bejarano earned his first career point with the assist on the goal, and Hamish Riddell earned his third assist of the season.

Bucknell will host Loyola again on Saturday at Emmitt Field for a 7:30 kickoff. Bucknell students will receive free hot chocolate and pizza while supplies last.