LEWISBURG, Pa. – The regionally ranked Army men’s soccer team posted its seventh shutout of the season, as it defeated regionally ranked Bucknell, 2-0, in both teams’ Patriot League opener on Saturday afternoon at Emmitt Field. With the win, the Black Knights, who are ranked eighth in the current National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Mid-Atlantic Region, improve to 6-1-1 overall and 1-0-0 in the conference, while the Bison, who stand seventh regionally, fall to 5-3-0 and 0-1-0.

Sophomore back Cameron Niccum and freshman midfielder Christian Ollen each scored their first career goals, while sophomore midfielder Justin Kim added an assist. Junior goalkeeper Winston Boldt made five saves to notch his seventh clean sheet of the season, the most by a Black Knight goalie since Jeremy Pamplin had seven in 1996. After Saturday’s blanking, Army stands tied for first in the nation in shutouts.

Sophomore keeper Mike Lansing made seven stops for Bucknell, which entered the match with five straight wins.

Lansing turned away each of Army’s four shots on target in the opening 34:47 before Niccum broke the scoreless tie in the 36th minute, heading home a corner kick from Kim. Attempting to strike even before halftime, the Bison fired four shots, including one that was saved and two that were blocked, but couldn’t beat Boldt and the Army defense.

The Black Knights extended their lead to 2-0, when Ollen scored from about 18 yards out less than a minute into the second half. Boldt denied a Bucknell opportunity in the 55th minute to keep the score 2-0 before Army blocked a second attempt just three seconds later. Boldt made three more saves in the remainder of the game, including attempts in the 82nd and 85th minutes, respectively.

“I like how we responded after not being at our best on Sunday,” said Army head men’s soccer coach, Russell Payne. “The guys were very focused today, and it showed. We executed well on both ends of the field at the right times.”

Army returns to Clinton Field for a season-long three-match homestand on Tuesday, Oct. 1, when it hosts LIU Brooklyn in a non-conference contest at 7 p.m.

Match Notes: Army improves to 20-13-0 all-time versus Bucknell … junior Winston Boldt extended his career high in shutouts to seven, marking the first time a Black Knight has had seven shutouts since Jeremy Pamplin in1996 … sophomore Cameron Niccum and freshman Christian Ollen each tallied their first-career goals … Army is tied for first in the nation with seven shutouts.

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