Loyola Men’s Soccer Falls 2-1 to Bucknell in Regular-Season Finale, Prepares for Patriot League Tournament Rematch
By Brian Hradsky
BALTIMORE — The Loyola University Maryland men’s soccer team closed its 2026 regular season with a disappointing 2-1 loss to Bucknell University on Tuesday, November 3, at Ridley Athletic Complex. The Greyhounds grabbed an early lead behind senior midfielder Tyler Flynn, but two Bucknell goals before halftime turned the match in the Bison’s favor. Loyola battled throughout the second half despite playing the final 34 minutes with 10 men, but could not produce an equalizer. The defeat left the Greyhounds with a 4-10-3 overall record and a 3-4-2 mark in Patriot League competition.
Although the loss ended Loyola’s regular season on a frustrating note, the Greyhounds still qualified for the Patriot League Championships as the sixth seed. Bucknell improved to 8-8-1 overall and 5-3-1 in conference play, securing the tournament’s third seed and home-field advantage for the quarterfinal matchup. The two programs will meet again Saturday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. That quick rematch gives Loyola an immediate opportunity to reverse Tuesday’s result and keep its championship hopes alive.
Flynn Gives Loyola the Early Advantage
Loyola opened the match with the type of attacking execution it needed against a Bucknell team fighting for postseason positioning. In the 18th minute, Nino Venezia delivered a pass to Flynn, who finished the opportunity to give the Greyhounds a 1-0 advantage. The goal marked Flynn’s eighth of the season, extending his team-leading total and reinforcing his importance to Loyola’s attack. His ability to capitalize on an early opportunity put the home side in position to control the match.
Bucknell responded in the 33rd minute when Cade Whitmire scored his third goal of the season to level the match. Jack Bejarano and Hamish Riddell collected assists on the play, giving the visitors momentum as halftime approached. The Bison completed their first-half comeback in the 43rd minute when Jakub Samelko scored his first goal of the season, assisted by Jack Heintz and Mason Lillis. Bucknell carried its 2-1 lead into the break, leaving Loyola needing another comeback of its own.
Red Card Complicates Loyola’s Comeback
The Greyhounds entered the second half determined to find an equalizer, but their task became considerably more difficult in the 56th minute. Defender Chris Ogor received a straight red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, forcing Loyola to finish the match with 10 players. The dismissal changed the tactical challenge for a team already chasing the game. Instead of simply pushing numbers forward, Loyola had to balance its offensive urgency with the defensive responsibility of protecting against another Bucknell goal.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Loyola generated nine of its 10 total shots after halftime. Flynn continued to create problems for Bucknell, while Nick Laffey and Jack Endacott also tested the opposing defense. Bucknell goalkeeper Thomas Yerbury made four saves during the second half to protect the narrow lead. The Greyhounds showed resilience in their attacking response, but their inability to convert another opportunity ultimately determined the result.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Bucknell finished with a 15-10 advantage in total shots and an 8-5 edge in shots on goal. Both teams recorded four corner kicks and split possession evenly at 50% apiece. Loyola committed nine fouls compared with seven for Bucknell, while the Greyhounds also received the match’s decisive red card. Those statistics illustrate a competitive contest in which Bucknell made better use of its first-half opportunities.
The Bison’s ability to turn a one-goal deficit into a halftime lead proved particularly important. Loyola generated much of its offensive pressure after the break, but Bucknell’s defense and goalkeeping prevented the Greyhounds from completing their comeback. Playing with 10 men made the challenge even greater, although Loyola continued searching for the tying goal. The Greyhounds will need to translate that determination into more efficient scoring opportunities during the postseason.
Patriot League Tournament Rematch Awaits
Loyola will travel to Bucknell on Saturday for a rematch with significantly greater consequences. The Bison earned the third seed with their regular-season victory, while the Greyhounds enter the tournament in sixth place. Saturday’s winner will advance to face second-seeded American University in the Patriot League semifinals. For Loyola, the quarterfinal offers an opportunity to extend its season and challenge a familiar opponent with fresh tactical adjustments.
The Greyhounds will need another strong performance from Flynn, whose eight regular-season goals made him the centerpiece of Loyola’s attack. They must also find ways to create dangerous opportunities earlier and avoid the defensive breakdowns that allowed Bucknell to score twice before halftime. Ogor’s red card adds another complication because he will miss the tournament rematch. Loyola’s ability to adjust defensively while maintaining its offensive pressure could determine whether the Greyhounds advance.
MSB Take: Loyola Has a Chance to Rewrite the Ending
Loyola’s regular-season record does not tell the entire story of a team capable of competing with a higher-seeded opponent. The Greyhounds demonstrated that ability by taking an early lead against Bucknell and continuing to attack even after losing a player. However, the two first-half goals exposed defensive vulnerabilities that cannot continue in a single-elimination tournament. Loyola must combine its second-half urgency with greater discipline and organization from the opening whistle.
The biggest advantage heading into Saturday is familiarity. Loyola knows Bucknell’s attacking threats, understands how the Bison approached the first meeting and has firsthand evidence that it can create scoring chances against their defense. Flynn gives the Greyhounds a legitimate offensive weapon, but the supporting attack must contribute if Bucknell concentrates its defensive attention on him. Saturday presents Loyola with an opportunity to turn a disappointing regular-season finale into the beginning of an unexpected postseason run.
What’s Next
Loyola will face Bucknell in the Patriot League men’s soccer quarterfinals Saturday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Emmitt Field in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The matchup will determine which program advances to the conference semifinals against American University. ESPN+ is scheduled to carry the contest as the Greyhounds attempt to keep their season alive. Maryland Sports Blog will continue following Loyola’s postseason journey.
Sources:
- Loyola Athletics: https://loyolagreyhounds.com/news/2026/11/3/bucknell-tops-mens-soccer-to-close-out-regular-season.aspx
- Bucknell Athletics: https://bucknellbison.com/news/2026/11/3/mens-soccer-clinches-third-seed-in-pl-tournament-with-2-1-win-over-loyola-hosts-loyola-again-on-saturday-in-pl-quarterfinal
- Official Box Score: https://bucknellbison.com/sports/mens-soccer/stats/2026/loyola/boxscore/21179
