The Bucknell Bison ended their 2013 season in disappointing fashion, falling to Lehigh University in the Patriot League finals.
Heading into the spring, Bucknell is once again primed to contend for the Patriot League championship alongside reigning champs Lehigh as well as 2012 NCAA champion and conference newcomer Loyola College.
Despite finishing second in the Patriot League and missing out on an at-large NCAA bid, the Bisons 2013 was marked with substantial success. The Bison reached their highest national ranking in program history (sixth), with their final 12-4 record ultimately earning an 11th place finish in the polls. Bucknell finished 5-2 overall versus conference opponents, the pair of losses both at the hands of Lehigh.
Junior midfield David Dickson will return to quarterback the Bison offense after an outstanding 2013. The Greenwich, CT native set the Patriot League single-season assist record with 48, third among all Division I players, while earning First-Team All-Patriot and Third-Team All-America honors.
Sophomore Thomas Flibotte will lead the midfield alongside Dickson after posting 30 points (29 G, 1 A) as a freshman. Flibotte joined Dickson as a 2013 First-Team All-Patriot honoree, becoming the first Bucknell freshman to do so since 2009.
Attackman Sean Doyle returns after a standout freshman campaign. The reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year put up 42 points (27 G, 15 A) in his first year with the Bison, trailing only graduated senior attacker Chase Bailey (36 G, 10 A) and Dickson in scoring. Doyle will step into a more dominant role in 2014 with the loss of Bailey. Senior Todd Heritage will provide a veteran presence to the attack after coming fourth in Bison scoring last season with 39 points (34 G, 5 A).
Senior defender Jackson Place anchors the Bucknell defense. The recent fourth-round MLL draft pick of the Ohio Machine led the Bison in caused turnovers last season with 30, good for 17th overall nationally. Another returning starting defender for Bucknell comes in the form of junior Ben Kellar.
Kyle Feeney tended the twine in all 16 of the Bucknell’s games last year and leaves a significant hole to fill between the pipes. Junior goaltender Sam Grinberg returns after turning aside 11 shots in just over 80 minutes of action while backing-up Feeney.
The Bison will kick off their 2014 campaign Saturday, February 8 when they host the Delaware Blue Hens.
