LEWISBURG, Pa. — The Division III No. 9-ranked the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) made a second half comeback but saw the squad’s rally fall short on a late goal by Salem University as the Engineer dropped an 11-10 decision to the Tigers on the final day of the 2026 Bucknell Invitational hosted by Bucknell University at the Kinney Natatorium.
In a defensive first quarter, Rick Lundh had the lone goal at the 2:28 mark to give MIT the lead.
The offense picked up the pace a bit in the second quarter. Salem opened the frame with the first three goals to pull ahead before Caspar Lightner scored at 4:03 to make it a 3-2 match. Antonio Sablic found the back to the net to increase the Salem lead, but Lightner scored his second to pull MIT back within one at 4-3 with 1:32 on the clock. Salem scored again, but Kunal Rajadhyax buried a shot at the buzzer to send the match into the half with MIT trailing by one (5-4).
Salem opened the third with a goal and added nother, while three straight MIT goals from Andras Beleznay, William Ewald and Jackson Kay squared the teams at seven-all heading into the fourth quarter.
Lightner gave MIT the lead with a goal at the 7:17 mark of the final eight minutes, but Salem quickly tied the match. The teams went back-and-forth, and Lightner gave MIT another lead at 10-9 with 3:59 left in regulation. However, Salem scored the fnal goals, including the game-winner with one second left, to win the match.
Lightner led MIT with four goals, while Kieran Kearns posted two assists and Ewald snagged a pair of steals.
Joshua Woren made seven saves in goal.
Information courtesy Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Athletics Communications
