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The Bucknell Bison became the 19th Division I lacrosse team to announce their 2017 regular season schedule Friday night on Lax Sports Network. The Bison finished 10-5 last season and 5-3 in Patriot League play. They lost to Loyola, 7-6 in double overtime, in the Patriot League semifinals. Let’s dive into this schedule.
BUCKNELL
The Bison begin their season on the road against Delaware on February 4, one of the earlier games to start the 2017 season. They host Bryant on February 11 in their home opener to start a three-game home stand. Bucknell gets an early test a week later as they take on Fairfield, who went to the CAA championship game last season. This should be a very entertaining game between two teams that ended 2016 very good before their seasons were cut short in their respective conference tournaments. The Bison end February with their Patriot League opener on February 25 against Colgate.
The Bison open March back where they ended 2016, in Annapolis. Except they’ll take on Navy on March 4. Bucknell fell to the Mids last year, 13-6. Patriot League play continues March 11 as the team hosts Holy Cross in Lewisburg. The team travels down to the Main Line three days later to take on Villanova in what should be another fun game between the two Pennsylvania teams. That game starts an important four-game stretch for the Bison, which picks up at Boston University to take on the Terriers March 18. Bucknell hosts both of last year’s Patriot League finalists at home, beginning with Loyola on March 25.
Army comes knocking in April 1 for their final home game of the season, which will probably be a big game involving Patriot League seeding implications. The Bison take on NEC foe Mount St. Mary’s down in Maryland April 8 before wrapping up Patriot League play and their regular season in PA for their final two games. The Bison are at Lafayette April 15, and finish the season at Lehigh April 21.
The Bison are bringing back Will Sands and Tommy O’Connor, their two leading scorers from last season, along with LSM Matt Gilray and Benny Borgognone on defense. Jarett Witzal is back taking the majority of faceoffs as well. This team has been getting a lot of rave marks so far this fall, and it seems like they will be competing for the Patriot League championship yet again, and possibly for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Make sure you read Marisa’s preview of the Bison as well!
Here’s a list of who’s released their schedules so far: