For the second straight season, the American University men's soccer team's bid for the Patriot League Championship ended at the hands of Bucknell as the Bison defeated AU, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon at Doren Field in Hamilton, N.Y.

Bucknell (10-8-2, 3-2-2 PL) scored both of its goals in the first 22 minutes of the match, which proved to be the difference. Both scores came in a similar fashion with Ross Liberati heading shots past AU goalkeeper Matt Makowski off passes from Tommy McCabe. The first score occurred in the third minute, while the second goal came 20:55 into the match.

Facing a 2-0 deficit, American (7-9-3, 3-2-2 PL) pushed ahead for a majority of the remaining 69 minutes, but was unable to get anything past Bucknell goalkeeper Marc Hartman, who did not allow a goal in either Patriot League Tournament match.

The Eagles had a few good scoring chances in the second half, including a shot in the 59th minute from Mike Worden off a Jamie Davin corner kick that was knocked just wide right.

American continued to apply the heavy pressure late in the match, registering five shots in the final 15 minutes. The best chance came on an Alassane Kane strike, but Hartman was there to make the save and preserve the shutout.

Makowski recorded four saves in net for AU, including a sliding stop on a CK Kumah shot with 13 minutes remaining in the match to keep the Eagles within striking distance.

In the match, the Eagles outshot Bucknell by a 14-12 margin, although the Bison held a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal. Each team registered four corner kicks.

With the victory, Bucknell captured its second straight Patriot League title and third in the last five years. The Bison also defeated American in the finals last season, 1-0, in a contest that was played in Lewisburg, Pa.

Following the match, American's Makowski, Worden and Mark Wysocki were named to the All-Tournament Team. Bucknell's Liberati was selected as the tournament's most valuable player after his two goals in the match.