Bucknell University Athletics
Update from Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Frank Fedorjaka -- March 2023
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Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends,
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It's been an exciting month as the season is finally here. Our non-conference schedule allows us to play teams from different conferences but more importantly, gives us the opportunity to see what our strengths and weaknesses are before we begin league play. The goal is to win every game and improve each week. Unfortunately, we have not won every game - as a matter of fact, we are 1-3. We have played a competitive schedule - all three teams that we lost to qualified for the NCAA tournament last year - and we are certainly learning what we need to improve upon.
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We started off with a dominant win over Mercer University (20-6), which is coached by my former assistant coach Ryan Danehy. First-year player Michael Meyer tied a Bucknell freshman record by scoring six goals in his first collegiate game. Fellow classmate Jaz Zanelli got the start in the cage and played well in the win. Connor Davis picked up where he left off last year with a four-goal game and Dutch Furlong had 10 points in the victory, coming up just two points short of the school record.
We were very competitive in two of the three losses. The Robert Morris contest was a game of runs. They were up on us 5-0 in the first, but we were able to get a 7-5 lead early in the third. And then, in a three-minute span, we were outscored 5-0. Our inability to win face-offs on a consistent basis has really hurt us. We are working relentlessly on improving in that area and it will need to improve for us to have the kind of success we all want.
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The Richmond game was tough. We came out strong and the score was tied 2-2 early in the second quarter, but we did not play well for the last three quarters.
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I was very proud of our team against Harvard in spite of the fact that we were playing without four of our top-nine offensive players (including last year's Patriot League Rookie of the Year Connor Davis). We traveled to Boston to play a very talented and high-scoring Harvard squad and we played very well. Harvard scored 21 goals in its opening game vs. #1-ranked Virginia on the road. We lost 13-8, but we were a point-blank shot away from closing to within 9-8 in the final seconds of the third quarter. Â
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We have had many bright spots in the early going. Dutch Furlong led the nation in assists and points through the first two games before he suffered an injury in the RMU game and did not play vs. Richmond. He is back now and playing well. Connor Davis got off to a hot start but he also suffered an injury and is working hard to get back in time for Patriot League play. The freshmen class has made an immediate impact on the program, as Michael Meyer ’26 is second on the team in points, Will Hopkins ’26 is third on the team in points, and goalie Jaz Zanelli ’26 has started all four games in the net and played exceptionally well against Harvard. In addition, Meyer and Hopkins have each received the Patriot League Rookie of the Week award. Senior Andrew Stanzel is fourth in the nation in caused turnovers! Our man-up unit is scoring at a blistering 57% and our team was #1 in the nation in caused turnovers through the first three weeks. We continue to be one of the top-five riding teams in the nation. Â
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We are looking forward to getting our starters back for Patriot League play which starts on March 11.
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On behalf of the program, I would like to remind everyone that a very important day is coming later this month. On March 28-29, we will once again be in a battle with all the other athletic and recreation programs at Bucknell during the One Herd One Day giving challenge. The event has been critical in terms of raising funds for the program, and this year we hope Bucknell Lacrosse can set new donor and dollar goals! In 2020 we set a new record for dollars raised at $75,822, and in 2021 we established our high-water mark for donors with 159. Please help us spread the word to family and friends, and if you are able, support the young men in the program that day.Â
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As always, thanks for all your support both on and off the field.
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Sincerely,
Frank Fedorjaka
Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
Bucknell University
fedorjak@bucknell.eduÂ
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Past Newsletters:
Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of student-athletes from 27 Division I varsity programs who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today.
Â
It's been an exciting month as the season is finally here. Our non-conference schedule allows us to play teams from different conferences but more importantly, gives us the opportunity to see what our strengths and weaknesses are before we begin league play. The goal is to win every game and improve each week. Unfortunately, we have not won every game - as a matter of fact, we are 1-3. We have played a competitive schedule - all three teams that we lost to qualified for the NCAA tournament last year - and we are certainly learning what we need to improve upon.
Â
We started off with a dominant win over Mercer University (20-6), which is coached by my former assistant coach Ryan Danehy. First-year player Michael Meyer tied a Bucknell freshman record by scoring six goals in his first collegiate game. Fellow classmate Jaz Zanelli got the start in the cage and played well in the win. Connor Davis picked up where he left off last year with a four-goal game and Dutch Furlong had 10 points in the victory, coming up just two points short of the school record.
We were very competitive in two of the three losses. The Robert Morris contest was a game of runs. They were up on us 5-0 in the first, but we were able to get a 7-5 lead early in the third. And then, in a three-minute span, we were outscored 5-0. Our inability to win face-offs on a consistent basis has really hurt us. We are working relentlessly on improving in that area and it will need to improve for us to have the kind of success we all want.
Â
The Richmond game was tough. We came out strong and the score was tied 2-2 early in the second quarter, but we did not play well for the last three quarters.
Â
I was very proud of our team against Harvard in spite of the fact that we were playing without four of our top-nine offensive players (including last year's Patriot League Rookie of the Year Connor Davis). We traveled to Boston to play a very talented and high-scoring Harvard squad and we played very well. Harvard scored 21 goals in its opening game vs. #1-ranked Virginia on the road. We lost 13-8, but we were a point-blank shot away from closing to within 9-8 in the final seconds of the third quarter. Â
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We have had many bright spots in the early going. Dutch Furlong led the nation in assists and points through the first two games before he suffered an injury in the RMU game and did not play vs. Richmond. He is back now and playing well. Connor Davis got off to a hot start but he also suffered an injury and is working hard to get back in time for Patriot League play. The freshmen class has made an immediate impact on the program, as Michael Meyer ’26 is second on the team in points, Will Hopkins ’26 is third on the team in points, and goalie Jaz Zanelli ’26 has started all four games in the net and played exceptionally well against Harvard. In addition, Meyer and Hopkins have each received the Patriot League Rookie of the Week award. Senior Andrew Stanzel is fourth in the nation in caused turnovers! Our man-up unit is scoring at a blistering 57% and our team was #1 in the nation in caused turnovers through the first three weeks. We continue to be one of the top-five riding teams in the nation. Â
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We are looking forward to getting our starters back for Patriot League play which starts on March 11.
Â
On behalf of the program, I would like to remind everyone that a very important day is coming later this month. On March 28-29, we will once again be in a battle with all the other athletic and recreation programs at Bucknell during the One Herd One Day giving challenge. The event has been critical in terms of raising funds for the program, and this year we hope Bucknell Lacrosse can set new donor and dollar goals! In 2020 we set a new record for dollars raised at $75,822, and in 2021 we established our high-water mark for donors with 159. Please help us spread the word to family and friends, and if you are able, support the young men in the program that day.Â
Â
As always, thanks for all your support both on and off the field.
Â
Sincerely,
Frank Fedorjaka
Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
Bucknell University
fedorjak@bucknell.eduÂ
Â
Past Newsletters:
Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of student-athletes from 27 Division I varsity programs who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today.