Men’s Soccer Drops P.L. Match Against Bucknell

Mens Soccer Drops P.L. Match Against Bucknell

The men’s soccer team lost to the  Bucknell Bison 2-1 last Saturday at Van Doren Field. The loss was the first for the Raiders at home this season, as they dropped to 2-3 in the Patriot League, and 6-8-1 overall. A late rally by the Bison cost the Raiders the game, as Bucknell was able to tally two goals in the final ten minutes to earn the victory.  Colgate got a little taste of what it felt like to be Lafayette, as the Raiders did something similar to them, scoring twice in the last 15 minutes to take the game from the Leopards last week.

Colgate was able to draw first blood as senior midfielder and captain Alex Weekes scored just over 30 minutes into the match. Weekes tallied the goal on a superb individual effort, as he was able to fake out Bucknell sophomore goalie Tommy Caso and fire it past him for his sixth goal of the season. The Bison had their best chance of the half right before the first half ended when senior midfielder Connor O’Brien took a clear shot at the goal, but Colgate sophomore goalkeeper Chris Miller was able to deflect over the net.

Bucknell kept up the offensive intensity in the second half as Miller had to make yet another diving save in the 17th minute on a shot by Josh Plump. The Raiders also had a chance to increase their lead to two goals when Weekes was able to find first-year forward Shane Conlin with a great through ball. Conlin found himself behind the Bucknell defense, but he was caught by two defenders who slowed the attack, and the ball eventually wound up in the hands of Caso. The Bison finally scored with just under 10 minutes to go when Plump drove one past Miller from 10 yards out on a scramble in the box, and then Andrew Powell was able to give Bucknell the go ahead goal with under two minutes left in the game with a clear shot from just beyond the 18.

The Raiders out shot the Bison 19-14, and held a 10-4 advantage in the first half, and a 17-6 advantage with less than 20 minutes left in the game. Miller made six saves for Colgate, while Caso had 10 between the posts for Bucknell. Bucknell moved to 12-4-0 on the season, including 4-1 in the Patriot League.  The Raiders’ last home game of the regular season is Friday at 7 p.m, as they take on the Navy at Van Doren Field.