Men’s Lacrosse Downs Holy Cross 15-13 on Senior Day
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Owen Kovacs celebrated his Senior Day with a career high seven points on five goals and two assists, leading the Bucknell men's lacrosse team to a 15-13 win over Holy Cross at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. The Bison improved to 8-5 overall and 4-4 in the Patriot League, while Holy Cross fell to 6-7, 2-5.
Bucknell University Athletics
Men’s Lacrosse Downs Holy Cross 15-13 on Senior Day
4/18/2026 2:29:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Owen Kovacs celebrated his Senior Day with a career high seven points on five goals and two assists, leading the Bucknell men's lacrosse team to a 15-13 win over Holy Cross at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. The Bison improved to 8-5 overall and 4-4 in the Patriot League, while Holy Cross fell to 6-7, 2-5.
The Bison moved closer to a Patriot League Tournament berth but have not officially clinched yet. Bucknell finishes the regular season with a non-conference game against UMBC next Friday and will be scoreboard watching with the four league games scheduled for later that evening.
Bucknell took control against Holy Cross early in the third quarter. The Bison led 9-7 at the half, and then Ryan Botek scored one of his five goals two minutes into the half to bring the Crusaders within one. Koavcs answered with back-to-back goals, and then Sean Berrigan added a third in row to open up a 12-8 lead.
Bo Webster finished a third chance in front of the goal to make it 12-9, but the Bison forced two failed clears and then finished a long possession with a Luke Brunner tracer. With just under three minutes to go in the period, Louie Germain picked off a pass and made a long run into the box before feeding Berrigan for the finish and a 14-9 lead. It was the second point of the day for the long poles, as Ollie Hau scored his first career goal on a break late in the second quarter.
Louie Germain with the pick-6! The Bison poles have been involved in the offense today, and the lead is now 14-9 late in the 3Q. #rayBucknell
— Bucknell Men's Lax (@Bucknell_MLAX) April 18, 2026
Watch: https://t.co/dMmYywXCUr@ESPN | @PatriotLeague pic.twitter.com/2iYvKcNYp8
Down five, Holy Cross made a run in the fourth quarter. The Crusaders scored the first two of the period to pull within 14-11 before Brunner scored a momentum-halting goal for the Bison. Caleb DaRocha went behind the back and then Botek followed at the 3:33 mark to make it 15-13.
Shane McDonnell cleanly won the ensuing faceoff and broke in on goal, but Peter Grandolfo came up with an important trail check and Grayson Falk backed up the errant shot. Holy Cross had two more possessions in the final minute, but the Bison defense held strong.
The game was level at 2-2 after the opening quarter, and then the offenses got going in a 12-goal second period. The Bison trailed 5-4 before three straight goals from Hans Huber, Michael Meyer, and Kovacs gave them the lead for good.
Holy Cross led 42-39 in shots after piling up a 15-4 margin in the fourth quarter. Bucknell led 38-32 in ground balls and harassed the Crusaders into 21 turnovers. Holy Cross won the faceoff battle 20-12.
In addition to Kovacs' seven-point day, Berrigan recorded three goals and an assist, and Brunner (2G/1A), Meyer (1G/2A), Grandolfo (1G/2A), and Anthony Pannetti (3A) all had three-point days. Jaz Zanelli made eight saves in goal, five coming in the third quarter as the Bison built up their lead.
Have a day, Owen Kovacs! That's 5 goals to go with 2 assists, and the Bison lead 11-8 with 10:53 left in the 3Q. #rayBucknell
— Bucknell Men's Lax (@Bucknell_MLAX) April 18, 2026
Watch: https://t.co/dMmYywXCUr@ESPN | @PatriotLeague pic.twitter.com/8wIGIFhZvQ
Bucknell and UMBC will meet next Friday at 3 p.m. at Messiah University. It will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2000.
Team Stats
HOLY CRO
BUCKNELL
Shots
42
39
Turnovers
21
18
Caused Turnovers
8
14
Faceoffs Won
20
12
Extra-Man Opps
1
1
Ground Balls
32
38
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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