Box Score

LEWISBURG, Pa. (Sept. 1, 2011) – The Saint Francis University men's soccer team suffered its first loss of the season Thursday night, at the hands of Bucknell, with a 4-1 final score.

The Red Flash (1-1-1) and starting goalkeeper Thomas McWilliams (Mermaid Waters, Australia/Palm Beach Currumbin) surrendered three opening half goals to put Saint Francis in a difficult spot to make up ground in the second half.

“This was a tough night, for parts of the game we were very good, but we made too many mistakes and they capitalized,” head coach Michael Casper said. “We have to learn to play a complete game and dictate the pace that we want to play at.”

Bucknell (1-1) posted the game's first goal shortly into the first half when the Bison's Mayowa Alli headed a feed off a free kick just after the 11 minute mark. Saint Francis' defense buckled down for the majority of the time left in the half until Bucknell posted two late half goals to give the Bison a 3-0 lead heading into the half.

Junior Wayne Tiller (Magnolia, Del./Caesar Rodney) got the Red Flash on the board ten minutes into the second half on a low shot that hopped over the Bison goalkeeper. Seniors David Butler (Baltimore, Md./Loyola Blakefield) and Kingsley McLeod (Rocky Mount, N.C./Rocky Mount) were credited with assists on Tiller's second goal of the season.

Bucknell notched one more goal with ten minutes remaining to give them a sizeable lead as the game neared its end. The Red Flash were outshot by a 17-7 margin in the game, and only managed two shots on goal. They did hold a 4-2 advantage on the game's corner kick opportunities.

“This is a tough one to swallow but we will learn from it and get better because of it,” Casper said.

Saint Francis will look to get back on the winning track next Wednesday Sept. 7 when they travel to our nation's capital for a non-conference showdown with Howard.