WASHINGTON – Behind goals from
Moad Ezzahir and
Reyes Parra, along with five saves from
Evan Tubbs in goal, the American University men's soccer team defeated Bucknell 2-0 in what was a complete performance at home. The win moves the Eagles to 2-0-1 in Patriot League play, and they jump into third place in the conference standings.
Notable
- Ezzahir's goal is the first of his career, with Ian Webb-Johnson and Reyes Parra picking up assists. For Parra, it marked the seventh of his career.
- Parra's goal is his first of the season, with O'Brien and Rojek logging the assists. It was O'Brien's fourth in college and Rojek's first.
- Evan Tubbs was excellent in goal, making five saves and two vital stops in the first half before American took the lead. He now has 37 on the season and a 1.20 GAA.
- The Eagles generated six corner kicks today, a season-high.
How it Happened
- AU quickly started to expose Bucknell's defense, getting deep in the Bison end and generating two corner kicks in the opening five minutes.
- Before the Eagles got on the board, Tubbs made two crucial saves to them a chance to grab the early lead. He charged off his line to cut off a quality look at goal from Nate Coughlin, blocking his shot after he chased down a ball into the box.
- Just minutes later, Tubbs came up with one of his best saves of the season to keep the score tied. Coughlin made a run up the right side toward the end line, delivered a low cross to Drew Roskos right in front of goal, and Tubbs was positioned perfectly to stop his one-timed try from point blank distance.
- AU finished off a quality half with a goal. Reyes Parra looped in a corner kick that hit the ground untouched inside the six-yard box, ricocheted off of Webb-Johnson and fell to Ezzahir, who powered his shot to the roof of the goal.
- The Eagles went into the half ahead 1-0.
- American continued to create in the second half, finding a second goal just 15 minutes in.
- It was a beautiful buildup with five different players touching the ball. Oliver Snowdon, Parra, and Henrick Boahen connected passes to get the ball moving forward at midfield, with Boahen laying the ball ahead for Rojek in the attacking third. The junior forward found Finn O'Brien streaking into the box on the right side and hit him in stride. O'Brien delivered a low cross to Parra, who drilled a shot low passed Thomas Yerbury for the goal.
- AU defended well the rest of the way, with Tubbs adding his final save in the 66th minute.
Up Next
- The Eagles will travel to Lehigh next Friday, Oct. 9 for a match at 6 p.m.
Keep Up With Us
- For the latest on American University Men's Soccer, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on X (@AU_MSoccer) and Instagram (@au.msoccer).
