Oct. 7, 2006
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Lafayette men's soccer team notched a dramatic win over Bucknell when junior forward Scott Hawkins headed a ball into the net with 27 seconds left in regulation on Saturday night at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium.
The Leopards and Bison exchanged chances early and often in the first half, with both teams creating multiple opportunities. The best chance came with 10:45 left in the first half, when Bucknell freshman forward Nathan LaGrave hustled into a breakaway down the right side of the Lafayette box. However, before LaGrave could release the attempt, Lafayette junior co-captain Luke Sullivan made a perfect slide tackle on the ball to eliminate any Bison scoring opportunity.
After a very evenly played first half, the teams appropriately went into halftime in a scoreless tie.
Both teams continued to pressure each other in the second half. Bucknell created a chance when sophomore midfielder Mark Schmiegel took a shot from the top of the 18 yard box. Lafayette senior goalkeeper Scott Backus, who came out to cut down the angle on the shot, took one step to his right and made a diving save.
With the shots tied at five midway through the second half, the Leopards rattled off six straight attempts to the end the game.
Strong chances from Hawkins, Sullivan and junior forward Mark Price were all turned away by the Bison defense.
Then, with less than a minute left and overtime looming, the Leopards struck. After playing two balls into the Bucknell defensive box that were sent away, Lafayette sophomore midfielder Chad Barbieri settled the ball about 40 yards from goal. Barbieri switched the field to find fellow sophomore midfielder Steve Ference on the left side. Ference took a touch and played a ball over the Bison defense to find the head of Hawkins and into the back of the net.
Backus tallied three saves for the shutout victory, while Bucknell junior goalkeeper Joey Kuterbach recorded fives saves in the loss.
The win moves the Leopards into a tie with the Bison in the Patriot League standings, as both teams sit at 2-1-1.
Lafayette will look to ride the momentum of the victory when they visit Georgetown on Oct. 10 at 3:00 p.m.
