LORETTO, Pa.  (Sept. 6, 2006) – The Saint Francis men’s soccer team has run into a series of unlucky bounces against tough competition this season, and it continued with a late goal as the Red Flash dropped a 1-0 contest against in-state foe Bucknell on Wednesday at Degol Field.

Sophomore midfielder Aaron Clapham (Christchurch, New Zealand / Aranui) had two shots on goal, including one just two minutes into the contest, and senior forward Scott Thompson (Durham, England / Lanchester Saint Bedes) had five shots. Senior goalkeeper Justin Janicek (Avon Lake, Ohio / Avon Lake) stopped four shots, but Alex Russo snuck one past him at 85:08 for the game-winner.

"It was a difficult goal to give up in the end, when you controlled most the game," said Saint Francis head coach B.J. Craig. "We have to learn how to be patient with our attack, how to draw teams out and create things. In the past we were put on our back foot, now we have good players and the other teams are on their back foot. The test now is learning how to get good at what we do best and keeping that focus over 90 minutes. At the end of the day, we had confidence moving the ball, but tried to force the play and credit to Bucknell, they were patient and picked the right moment."

The Red Flash, who outshot the Bison 11-8, dropped to 1-4 with the loss. They will be back in action when they play at No. 2 Virginia at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night. The Cavaliers will be the highest ranked team the Saint Francis men’s soccer squad has ever faced.

Bucknell’s Alex Russo scored the game-winner at 85 minutes, 8 seconds off a high bounce in front of Janicek. Joe Mellott fed a free kick from about 55 yards out. The ball bounced high at the top of the 18-yard box and went over Janicek’s head. Russo was all alone behind Janicek to tap the ball in.

Joey Kuterbach stopped six shots in the win for the Bison.