Lewisburg, Pa. - Nick Gantsoudes scored five goals to lead #20 Bucknell to a 15-7 win over UAlbany in non-conference men's lacrosse action on Saturday afternoon at Graham Field.
Bucknell got on the board first at 11:36 with a goal from Gantsoudes. UAlbany responded before the end of the first quarter, as Joe Resetarits took an assist from Ty Thompson with 2:05 left to play. However, the Bison got back-to-back goals from Todd Heritage, both on assists from David Dickson, to hold a 3-1 advantage after one quarter of play. Bucknell continued to roll to start the second, getting the first two goals of the quarter from Chase Bailey and Gantsoudes to pull ahead, 5-1. UAlbany ended the scoring drought at 12:07, as Miles Thompson took an assist from Resitarits. The Bison scored the next two goals, as Peter Burke converted an unassisted shot at 8:53, and Gantsoudes completed a hat trick with just under five minutes left to play in the first half. Resetarits scored his second goal of the game on an assist from Miles Thompson at 2:23 to send the teams to halftime with Bucknell on top, 7-3.
Gantsoudes netted the Bison's first goal of the second half less than a minute into play, and then assisted on Joe Kearney's goal a minute later. Will Fuller took an assist from Miles Thompson at 10:44 to pull UAlbany to within 9-4, before the Great Danes closed the gap further two minutes later on a goal by Ty Thompson, with another assist by Miles.
However, three straight goals by Bucknell, including a man-up tally to end the third quarter, gave Bucknell a 12-5 lead entering the final period. Miles Thompson scored his 12th goal of the season to start the fourth and try to spark UAlbany into a late rally, but the Bison scored three consecutive goals to hold a 15-6 advantage with 10:28 left to play. UAlbany scored the last goal of the game to set the final score, as Rocky Bonitatibus assisted Daley Baker on his fourth goal of the season.
UAlbany outshot Bucknell, 31-30, but the Bison held a 36-29 advantage in ground balls. Both teams won 13 face offs. Bucknell (6-3) was successful in 2-of-3 extra-man opportunities, while the Great Danes were unable to convert three man-up chances.
UAlbany (0-7) will return to action on Saturday, March 31, hosting Binghamton at 1 p.m. to kick off America East Conference play.
