Men's Soccer Dominates Second Half for 4-1 Victory Over Bucknell

Friday, October 14

West Point, NY

6:00 PM

Army West Point

7-3-3, 4-1-1

Bucknell University

2-11-0, 1-5-0

Bucknell

Army West Point

Men's Soccer Dominates Second Half for 4-1 Victory Over Bucknell

October 14, 2022 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Game 13
SCORE	Army West Point Black Knights 4, Bucknell Bison 1
SCORERS	ARMY - Nick Atkinson (38', 77'), Dylan Mitchiner (68'), Joey Hickson (83') BUCKNELL - Mo Tall (16', PK)
RECORDS	Army West Point (7-3-3, 4-1-1 PL), Bucknell (2-11-0, 1-5-0 PL)
LOCATION	Malek Stadium - West Point, N.Y.

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Army West Point men's soccer took down Bucknell by a score 4-1 to win its third straight game and move into first place in the Patriot League standings. Army fell behind early before tying the score just before the half and exploding for three tallies after the break at Malek Stadium.

Nick Atkinson continued his rampant scoring record from the Army backline, netting a pair of goals for the Black Knights to give him five on the season. Dylan Mitchiner scored the game-winning goal in the 68th minute, while Joey Hickson added his second goal of the season with a strike in the 82nd minute.

Patriot League assists leader Cooper Warren added two more to his ledger, with a pair of Army's goals coming off corner kicks from the senior midfielder.

The Black Knights came in flying high after victories over Navy and UAlbany this past week, and looked to jump out to an early lead with a good spell to open the contest. However, Bucknell would find fortune in the 15th minute with a handball called in the Army box, awarding a penalty kick to the Bison. Mo Tall made no mistake and gave Bucknell the early lead on the road.

After an initial shock from the goal, Army worked its way back into the game. In the 38th minute, a Cooper Warren corner found the head of Justin McStay, who headed down into the path of Nick Atkinson who provided the important finishing touch. Tomas Hut was called into action to make a pair of saves before the half as the sides went into the break knotted at one.

Coming out for the second half, Bucknell would go down to 10 men in the 52nd minute to change the complexion of the match. After winning on Tuesday themselves with 10 men, Army maintained control of the game following the red card and found the breakthrough in the 67th minute through Dylan Mitchiner. Sam Epitime delivered a service into the box, with the Army centerback scoring a striker's goal in front of net with a touch beyond the keeper.

Now protecting a 2-1 lead, Army added on with a goal just nine minutes later with Atkinson's second tally of the night. A familiar sight this season, Warren's corner was begging for a head to touch it on, and Atkinson did just that to give the Black Knights a two-goal cushion. Joey Hickson came off the bench to ensure the three points for Army, scoring with a beautiful hit from just inside the box off the crossbar and in.

The victory moved Army to 4-1-1 in the Patriot League with the 13 points currently putting them first in the conference while the rest of the league will be in action tomorrow with their game at hand.

Cadets Capsules

The Army bench combined for a goal and three assists to propel the second half surge.
Tomas Hut made three saves in the victory and has not allowed a goal from open play in over 340 minutes.
Cooper Warren tallied his seventh and eighth assists of the season.
Nick Atkinson scored a brace to give him five goals on the season, the second highest on the team.
Joey Hickson tabbed his second goal of the season while Justin McStay added his second assist.
Dylan Mitchiner notched his first collegiate goal with his 68th minute game-winner.
Colman Kim and Atef Sikazwe came off the bench to collect assists.

Coach's Corner
"The group played well tonight. Bucknell is very well coached and good with the ball and can break you down if you give them time and space. I thought we did a good job limiting their space and we were aggressive in our attacking, transitions and counter attacks. The team has showed great togetherness the past few weeks. We will get back on the training field this week and prepare for Lehigh next weekend." - head coach Brian Plotkin

Cadet's Corner

?? Dylan Mitchiner on the comeback effort tonight and how the team has come together during the winning streak#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/WVFaDeTAxD
— Army Men's Soccer (@ArmyWP_MSoccer) October 15, 2022

Up Next
Army will take on Lehigh next Saturday, Oct. 22 (7 p.m.) at Malek Stadium for Senior Night.

For complete coverage of Army West Point men's soccer, follow the Black Knights on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmyWP_MSoccer and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.