The AU men's soccer team defeated Bucknell 2-0 Saturday afternoon, picking up three vital points in the PL standings and improving their home record to 6-0-0. In the process, the Eagles climbed into the all-important fourth and final spot for the PL tournament, with two league games remaining.
In front of the nearly 1,000 friends and family that packed AU's home field during the 'Phil Reeves' celebrations, the Eagles did not disappoint, putting together an exciting and high-energy match against the Bison.
In the opening half, the Eagles came out with more vigor than the visiting Bison, but they could not capitalize on their efforts.
The greatest scoring chance for the Eagles in the first half came in the 23rd minute when Larry Mark put a cross across the box to a wide-open Sal Caccavale, whose shot was deflected at the last second by a Bucknell defender to keep the game scoreless entering halftime.
In the second half, the Eagles turned up the intensity and completely dominated the Bison.
AU was finally able to put away a scoring chance when Garth Juckem was able to put a long through ball to Caccavale, whose one touch pass to a streaking Mark led to a 1-0 Eagles lead and Mark's team-leading sixth goal of the season.
The Eagles were able to add an insurance goal with four minutes remaining in the game, when Mark slid a back pass across the box to a wide open Caccavale, who buried it home for his fifth goal of the season.
With his goal and assist on the day, Caccavale is now three points away from being in the top 10 on AU's all-time scoring list.
While the scoreboard might not indicate a blowout, the game was one-sided in favor of the Eagles throughout the game.
The Eagles outshot the Bison 17-3 in the second half and 23-6 overall. It was only the play of Bucknell goaltender Joey Kuterbach, who made 10 saves, who kept the game as close as it was.
His counterpart, AU's Chris Sedlak, made three saves for his third shutout of the season.
AU returns to action on Tuesday with a key PL match against Navy at Reeves Field. The match kicks off at 2 p.m.
