Kevin M. Neibauer- LaxPhilly- A Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network
Things figured to be difficult for Penn State. Going up against the Bucknell Bison (6-1).
The Bison boasts the 9th best offense in NCAA Division I.
Bucknell is led by the dynamic, Connor Davis who came in averaging 4.67 points a game
The upside? The Nittany Lions held Davis to just two goals but, dropped to 2-6 with the 12-11 loss.
Let’s Get it Started
Bucknell jumped out a 2-0 lead with Harry Welford (2g) slamming home a Cam Doolan set-up at 12:54.
Just :21 later, Frankie Higgins (1g,1a) notched his 2nd of the campaign. Nick Crovatto (3a) started the play.
Jeb Brenfleck played quarterback on a Penn State man advantage with Dan Reaume (1g,2a) reaping the reward.
It stayed a 2-1 game for all of thirty one seconds when Kyle Aldridge (1g) knotted it up with his 3rd.
Penn State was clicking and Mac Costan (2g) gave PSU the lead thirteen seconds later
Cam Doolan (1g,1a) and Costin exchanged markers.
Ethan Gylenhall (1g) with a buzzer beater, brought the curtain down on the opening quarter with a 4-4 stand-off
To the Second
Reaume sent a beautiful pass that Jack Kelly (3g) buried with just :43 played and Penn State went in front.
Welford converted a Dutch Furlong pass and, it was tied for the fourth time.
Alston Tarry (3g) matched by Brenfleck (1g, 3a) made it tie number five.
Bucknell hit net twice in the final minute.Tarry connected on number 14 with :31 on the clock.
The aforementioned Davis pushed it 8-6 with just :19 on the game clock
The half concluded with no further markers
Two Down, Two to Go
The third quarter would only reveal three goals. Jake Morin (1g, 1a) closed it to a one goal game at 11:42.
Unfortunately for Penn State, Bucknell shook that off courtesy of Dutch Furlong (1g, 1a) and the hat trick from Tarry at the 9:00 mark.
Despite tbe amount of time left, that would be the final goal in the quarter and Bucknell seemed to be pulling away with a three goal 10-7 lead.
Can the Lions Come Back?
With just two and a half played, Matthew Burkausas (1g) made it a four goal edge.
Jack Kelly got that one back with his 14th. A minute later Davis connected on goal number 30 and things looked bleak for the Lions
Save thst thought..Kelly on the man-up and the first two of the season from Canyon Birch got it to 12:11.
The second Birch goal came with :31 left.
Penn State had a chance when they got the ball with sixteen left.
Bucknell clamped down but, PSU got off a final shot that went wide and that, as they say, was all she wrote.
Stats
• Shots were 45-40 Bucknell with the Bison having a 25-22 advantage on shots on goal.
• Turnovers had 25 for Penn State compared to 17 for Bucknell..
• Face offs went the way of Penn State, 14-12.
Hudson Bohn was 14 for 26.
• Goaltending was a subplot.
Max Nolan started for the Bison and was replaced after 7:10 after allowing 3 goals on 4 shots.
Rich O’ Halloran was the difference with his 10 saves.
Aleric Fyock gave up 8 goals with seven saves in the first half.
Jack Fracyon had 6 saves to go with his four saves
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
