Lucas Converts Late Penalty to Lift Bison to 1-0 Win over Lafayette

Saturday, September 12

Lewisburg, Pa.

6 p.m.

Bucknell University

1-4-0, 1-0-0

Lafayette

1-4-1, 0-1-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Lafayette	0	0	0
Bucknell	0	1	1

Photo by: Lauren Medeiros

Lucas Converts Late Penalty to Lift Bison to 1-0 Win over Lafayette

9/12/2026 8:34:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Senior Jack Lucas delivered an 88th-minute penalty to lift the Bucknell men's soccer team to its first win of the season and a 1-0 start in the Patriot League on Saturday night at Emmitt Field. Bucknell put the pressure on all match, but the big moment came on a handball inside the box to award the Bison the late penalty.

The Bison opened the conference slate with a win over the defending Patriot League Champions, and the Bison and Leopards won each of the previous two Patriot League championships.

"We've been stung a little by results and giving up goals late in games," said head coach Dave Brandt. "That hurt our belief a little bit, so it was great for us to hang in there this week and hold strong in a tough game."

Bucknell looked strong on the attack with several great opportunities to score in the match. The Bison out-shot the Leopards 19-13. Despite 32 shots in the match, both teams combined for just six shots on goal. Bucknell's goal was their first tally since the second match against Pitt.

"It's a function of getting our rhythm back," said Brandt. "Drew [Roskos] and Jack [Lucas] just got back and we've been shifting guys around, so we haven't been able to get that rhythm going early in the season. I think we made it hard on ourselves and could have had a couple more goals, and that would have made it a different game."

Thomas Yerbury made two big saves to keep the match level including a brilliant stop in the 65th minute from point-blank range. Yerbury kept his first career clean sheet for the Orange and Blue.

Bucknell put the pressure on late in the match looking for one final opportunity. Colin Findlay was playing in towards the touch line and the sophomore played a dangerous pass that reached Lucas towards the top of the 18. Lucas fired a shot that hit the hand of a Leopards defender and the Bison were awarded a penalty.

Lucas passed his penalty kick right down the middle to beat Harrison Wolfrom, who made three saves in the match. Lucas' goal was his first of the season after he returned from injury last Sunday against Old Dominion.

Drew Roskos also made his return last Sunday, and the junior forward was causing chaos among the Lafayette back line in the first 20 minutes of the match.

"Drew is the ultimate dog out there," said Brandt. "He's a great player, and even more, he's a great competitor. When you don't have him out there, you can lack important grit and leadership."

Roskos gave the Bison its first opportunity just three minutes into the match. He beat his defender on the wing and played a great ball into a charging Lucas. Lucas fired his shot just over the cross bar.

Lafayette came right back down the field with an opportunity of their own, forcing Yerbury to make an early save in the fourth minute of action.

Roskos got involved again on another great opportunity, chipping a defender to send Nate Coughlin in on goal. Coughlin took a few touches before his shot was stopped by Wolfrom at point-blank range. Just two minutes later, Roskos made a great solo run into the box, but his shot was blocked.

The Bison nearly scored just before the break through senior Jack Heintz. A ball was played into the box and Heintz darted on the opportunity. Heintz was first to the ball, but his shot tailed just wide of the net.

Bucknell had a flurry of chances in the second half with five shots in the first 15 minutes. Jack Bejarano had three good looks at goal, but one shot missed the frame and two shots were blocked in front of goal.

Yerbury's biggest moment came in the 65th minute as Thomas Clark had the best opportunity on the match. A bouncing ball into Bucknell's defensive third got past the back line and sent Clark in on goal. Clark fired his shot to the near post, but Yerbury got low to make a huge save.

Each side picked up a yellow card in the match, and Bucknell had 12 fouls compared to Lafayette's five.

Bucknell is back in action for a non-conference match against George Mason on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Emmitt Field.