April 18, 2011

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell junior midfielder Billy Eisenreich (Chatham, N.J./Chatham), one of the stars of Friday's remarkable come-from-behind 12-11 win at Lehigh, has been named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week. Eisenreich recorded four goals and four assists for a career-high eight points, and he scored the last three goals of the game to give the Bison the win and keep them in first place in the Patriot League.

For the second straight week, Bucknell is ranked No. 12 in the nation in both the USILA coaches' poll and the Nike/Inside Lacrosse media poll. The Bison are 11-2 overall and 5-0 in the Patriot League, and they are tied for first place with Colgate heading into a huge matchup with the Raiders this Saturday.

Bucknell appeared to be a longshot for that 11th win after falling behind 7-1 at Lehigh on Friday night in Bethlehem. The Bison still trailed 11-7 inside nine minutes to play in the game, but they scored the final five goals of the game, capped by three straight unassisted goals from Eisenreich. The last of those came on a terrific rush to the goal with 1:40 remaining in the game.

Eisenreich was just coming back from an injury that kept him out of the lineup for four games, and he had another terrific game in what has been a breakout season. He has recorded multiple points in seven of his eight games played this season, including a seven-point (2G, 5A) game in an overtime win over Navy on March 7 and the eight-point effort against Lehigh on Friday.

Despite the injury absence, Eisenreich has 16 goals and 11 assists for 27 points, all career highs. He is tied for sixth in the Patriot League in points per game, sixth in assists per game and ninth in goals per game.

Bucknell travels to 16th-ranked Colgate on Saturday at 7 p.m., and the game will be televised nationally on the CBS Sports Network. The Raiders are 9-3 overall and 5-0 in the Patriot League. The winner of the game will claim the Patriot League regular-season title and the right to host the Patriot League Tournament.