Bucknell’s men’s soccer squad is set to return to Emmitt Field on Friday, August 28, at 7 p.m., where it will host Fordham in a matchup that marks the first meeting between the two programs since 1994.
A Historic Rivalry Revived
The Bison hold a 3‑2 edge in the all‑time series, but the upcoming contest arrives amid a vastly different landscape for both schools. Bucknell enters the game shorthanded, missing several key contributors, while Fordham looks to rebuild after a season that ended with a 2‑0 loss to Santa Clara and a 0‑0 draw with Gonzaga.
Injuries have forced the Bison to rely on a blend of 19 returning veterans and six freshmen, a mix that includes early‑season standouts such as Cade Whitmire, who opened the year with a goal against Pitt before the Panthers rallied with two late strikes. Colin Findlay, a Lewisburg native and the first player from his hometown to wear a Bucknell jersey, and Chayse Snyder have also shown promise with goals and assists.
Coaching Legacies and Future Challenges
Fordham, under head coach Carlo Acquista in his eighth season, brings a 5‑1‑2 record in Atlantic 10 play and a .607 winning percentage in conference competition, but must replace top scorers who departed via graduation and transfer, retaining only Elias Betancourt and Nicholas Di Sessa among the returning net‑finders. Bucknell’s head coach Dave Brandt, a veteran with a career record of 375‑119‑56 and six Division III national championships at Messiah, brings a wealth of experience to a program that finished the 2025 season with a road loss to Boston University in the Patriot League tournament.
The Bison’s 2026 preseason awards recognized Drew Roskos as Offensive Player of the Year and Jack Lucas as Defender of the Year, underscoring optimism despite the injury setbacks. The schedule does not ease after the Fordham test, with a September 1 road trip to Penn State, a program that leads the series 60‑84 since 1930, and additional non‑conference fixtures against Santa Clara and other opponents that will test the Bison’s depth.
As the season unfolds, the team’s ability to integrate fresh talent while navigating a demanding slate will determine whether Bucknell can translate early promise into sustained success.