Box Score Despite a late comeback in final 20 minutes, the American University men's soccer team's season came to end on Tuesday, November 12, in Lewisburg, Pa., falling to Bucknell, 3-1 in the Patriot League Quarterfinals.
The No. 5-seed Eagles (7-8-5), who were playing in their sixth-consecutive Patriot League Tournament, were matched up against a strong Bucknell (13-5-1) team. The Bison were riding high after a golden goal victory on the final weekend of the regular-season that secured a home game for the No. 4 Bison.
Bucknell came out an executed its offense on its pitch, scoring goals in the 17th and 20th minutes.
The Eagles defense was able to right the ship after the early scores however, keeping the Bison off the board for the next 67 minutes and allow the offense to find its groove.
It was all newcomers for AU on the score as junior transfer Mark Plaisance and rookie defender Jake Garcia combined to set up freshman forward Dale Ludwig for his fourth goal of the season, and cut the Bucknell lead in half.
Head coach Todd West and the Eagles pulled out all the stops in the end, even playing with their keeper up at midfield in the final minutes, but the Bison were able to control the ball and get one past the defense for their third goal.
The American defense was steady after the early goals, limiting the Bison to only four shots on goal, but Bucknell's defense was just as staunch, keeping AU to just one goal despite seven corner kicks in the second half.
