Bucknell Men's Soccer Falls in Penalty Kicks After Tying Colgate, 1-1, in Patriot League Semifinal
Nov. 16, 2007
WORCESTER, Mass. - Despite a late goal by junior Mark Schmiegel (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) to tie the score at one, the Bucknell men's soccer team fell in penalty kicks, 3-2, to Colgate in Patriot League semifinal action on Friday evening. The draw moved the Bison to 9-5-5 on the season and the Raiders to 8-5-5. Colgate struck early as Eric Anton scored on a penalty kick at the 2:35 mark, driving the ball into the net, just out of reach of Bucknell goalkeeper Joey Kuterbach (Kingwood, Texas/Kingwood). The best chance for the Bison in the first half came in the 29th minute when junior Alex Russo (Middletown, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) snuck in behind Raiders' goalkeeper David Capuccio for an open net, but was unable to corral the loose ball as it trickled inches wide of the left post. In the 36th minute, Bucknell was awarded a free kick just outside the box towards the left-hand side. However, the attempt by sophomore Conor O'Brien (Mt. Sinai, N.Y./St. Anthony's) was headed out by a Colgate defender. The Raiders came dangerously close to taking a 2-0 advantage in the 77th minute, but Kuterbach denied Steven Miller, who was in alone, with a diving save. Then at 78:40, Bucknell netted the equalizer as Schmiegel punched the ball in from 10 yards out amidst a scramble. O'Brien received credit for the assist on the play. Despite sustained pressure by the Bison in overtime, the score remained tied at one, forcing penalty kicks.
In the shootout, senior Corey Curnutte (Waterford, Mich./Detroit Country Day) and O'Brien converted the first two attempts for the Orange and Blue, but were matched with goals by Anton and Dan Belke. That would be all for the Bison as the following three kicks started with one off the post, followed by a second that went high and a third that was saved by Cappuccio. Kuterbach managed to turn aside a shot by Miller on Colgate's third attempt, but Alex Weekes converted the fourth to lift the Raiders to the Patriot League final.
Colgate led in shots, 15-13, corner kicks were even at five and fouls were 14-13, against the Raiders. Kuterbach made six stops in net for the Orange and Blue, while Cappuccio recorded four saves for Colgate. |
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