CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Bucknell University dropped games to No. 18-ranked Harvard University, 15-12, and Division III No. 7 the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 14-13 in sudden death/victory overtime, to begin the 2025 season at the Bruno Classic.
Facing the host Crimson, Bucknell jumped out to an early lead against Harvard. However, the Crimson’s relentless tide proved too much for the Orange & Blue to allow the ranked foe to escape with the win. Tyler Hedblad led Bucknell with four goals. Ori Raz christened his Bucknell debut with three tallies.
The Bison scored a trio of goals in the first three minutes before the Crimson rallied to tie the game entering the second quarter.
Harvard grabbed the lead three different times in the next eight minutes, but each time Bucknell knotted the contest with goals from three different players. Raz’s first career goal gave Bucknell a 7-6 lead prior to Harvard tying the contest 23 seconds later as the squads entered halftime deadlocked at seven-all.
The second quarter situation turned vice versa in the third quarter. Bucknell forged ahead thrice times but the ranked foe continued to equalize the situation before inching ahead 11-10.
Bucknell tied the game at 11-11 and 12-12, but the Crimson prevailed courtesy a 3-0 run to the final horn.
Meeting MIT, Sean Tunnicliff led the Bison with four goals, including a clutch tally to send the game to a second overtime.
The first quarter was the domain of Bucknell with the Bison streaking to a 3-0 lead.
The Orange & Blue continued its hot stretch with four more goals in the next quarter to build a 7-0 lead. A foreboding omen for the second half arrived when MIT tallied twice before halftime.
MIT held Bucknell scoreless in the third quarter and added two more goals to creep closer.
The Bison righted the ship and scored twice to begin the final regulation quarter. MIT struck back once and Bucknell replied in turn. However, the Engineers went on a 4-0 run to force overtime as the Engineers final goal arrived with 13 seconds remaining to bring on extra play.
MIT engineered a 13-11 lead in overtime, forcing Bucknell into the role of comeback artist. Aleksa Stefanovic scored the first cage-finder and Tunnicliff alertly grabbed a deflected shot and pounded home the equalizer with four seconds left.
In sudden death/victory, Bucknell had a golden chance with a fast break but miscommunication caused an errant throw. MIT capitalized and scored the game-winner.
Release courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
