BETHLEHEM, Pa. — No. 4 Boston University and No. 6 Lafayette advanced through the first round of the 2025 Patriot League PenFed Credit Union Men’s Soccer Championship with victories over No. 5 Bucknell and No. 3 Army West Point, respectively.
Boston University topped Bucknell, 3-1, behind a brace from senior forward Alex Bonnington. With the win, the Terriers advance to face No. 2 Lehigh at the Ulrich Sports Complex in Bethlehem, Pa., with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
Lafayette upset Army West Point, 1-0, courtesy of an 85th-minute left-footed strike by Oliver Gordon. The Leopards move on to meet No. 1 American at Reeves Field in Washington, D.C., beginning at 12 p.m. Both semifinal matches will air on ESPN+ on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
For more information, visit the 2025 Patriot League Men’s Soccer Championship page by CLICKING HERE.
2025 Patriot League Men’s Soccer Championship Schedule
First Round – Saturday, Nov. 8
No. 4 Boston University 3, No. 5 Bucknell 1
No. 6 Lafayette 1, at No. 3 Army West Point 0
Semifinals – Tuesday, Nov. 11
No. 6 Lafayette at No. 1 American, Noon, ESPN+
No. 4 Boston University at No. 2 Lehigh, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Championship Game – Saturday, Nov. 15
Lowest-remaining seed at Highest-remaining seed, TBA., ESPN+
AT NO. 4 BOSTON UNIVERSITY TERRIERS (10-7, 5-4 PL) 3, NO. 5 BUCKNELL BISON (9-4-5, 4-2-3 PL) 1
BOX SCORE
Boston, Mass – The fourth-seeded Boston University Terriers protected home field and defeated defending champion Bucknell, 3-1.
*The Bison struck first courtesy of a goal from 2025 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Drew Roskos, who collected a pass in traffic and scored from just inside the box to put Bucknell up 1-0 in the 2nd minute.
*Boston University evened the match at 1-1 in the 21st minute when senior Alex Bonnington finished off an assist from Giuseppe Bagnato.
*Bonnington struck again in the 59th minute, converting a feed from Sebastian Otero after the Terriers forced a turnover and quickly transitioned to create space for the shot.
*In the 77th minute, Ethan Gill extended the Terriers’ lead to 3-1, capitalizing on a rebound after BU intercepted a goal kick and applied pressure on the Bucknell back line.
*Boston University sophomore goalkeeper Sheraz Saadat made four saves while allowing just one goal.
*The Terriers advance to face No. 2 Lehigh in the Patriot League semifinals on Tuesday
NO. 6 LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS (7-6-6, 3-2-4 PL) 1 AT NO. 3 ARMY WEST POINT BLACK KNIGHTS (7-6-5, 5-3-1 PL) 0
BOX SCORE
West Point, N.Y. – The sixth-seeded Lafayette Leopards stunned No. 3 Army West Point with a late tally, scoring in the 85th minute to advance to the semifinal round.
*Oliver Gordon delivered the decisive goal in the 85th minute off an assist from Riley Martin, who intercepted a pass from a Black Knights defender and slipped the ball to Gordon at the best of the box for a left-footed finish to the bottom-left corner.
*Lafayette senior goalkeeper Eric Axtman secured the victory with two key saves in the closing minutes, preserving the shutout for the Leopards.
*Lafayette advances to face No. 1 American in the Patriot League semifinals on Tuesday.
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.
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