Box Score LEWISBURG, Pa. – Danny Kaiser scored 42 seconds into overtime to lift American University to a 3-2 victory over Bucknell in a key Patriot League men's soccer match on Saturday.
The win lifted the Eagles to 5-1 in the league and 8-5-3 overall, as AU picked up an important three points on the road. Coupled with Loyola Maryland's 2-2 tie at Army West Point on Saturday, the Eagles took a one-point lead in the Patriot League standings with three matches remaining.
The Bison fell to 5-9-2 and 2-3-1 in the PL.
A quick attack by the Eagles and a through ball by
Panos Nakhid put Kaiser one-on-one with Bucknell goalkeeper Emmett Witmer. Kaiser placed the ball into the back of the net to score the golden goal.
The game-winner was the first of the season for Kaiser and his second goal of the year.
"On a day we didn't play our best soccer, we still found the resolve to win an important road Patriot League match," said AU head coach Todd West.
American dominated possession in the first half and led in shots 6-2 at the break, but Bucknell's Patrick Mahoney found the back of the net only minutes before the break.
The Eagles came back quickly after halftime, with
Joel Hart scoring his fourth goal of the season. Freshman
Max Holdsworth was credited with the assist.
In the 64th minute, Nakhid gave American the lead when
Joel Hart intercepted a pass in midfield and found Nakhid with a through ball. Nakhid easily slotted the ball past Witmer and into the net.
Bucknell responded only moments later with a set piece from just inside midfield. Adam Bradshaw crossed the ball to Zack Rockmore, who headed it past AU keeper
Lucas Belanger to tie the match in the 66th minute.
The final 20 minutes of the match, AU pressed high up the field and had multiple chances.
Kibu Mbaluku and
Tim Neumann continually battered the Bucknell back line with crosses, but no one was able to get on the end of any services into the box.
The shots were even in the match at 11-11 and AU held a 6-1 edge in corner kicks. Belanger made four saves in the Eagle net.
American travels to Navy on Wednesday, Oct. 28 in its next match. The Eagles' next home test is Sunday, Oct. 30 in a 1 p.m. pairing with Holy Cross.
