PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle men's soccer team looks to extend its 3-0 record this weekend with back-to-back home games against Patriot League foes Bucknell (Friday, 7 p.m.) and Lafayette (Sunday, 1 p.m.).

Bucknell Bison (0-1-2) @ La Salle Explorers (3-0)
Friday, September 7, 2012 | 7 PM
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Lafayette Leopards (1-2) @ La Salle Explorers (3-0)
Sunday, September 9, 2012 | 1 PM
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Scouting the Explorers

The Explorers posted back-to-back shutouts last weekend to move to 3-0 on the young season. Jason Plumhoff provided the game-winning penalty kick in overtime as the Explorers blanked Loyola (Md.) 1-0 on Friday. He again notched the game winner in the 10th minute in an eventual 2-0 win over Mount St. Mary's on Sunday. Tom Baker had a three-point outing against the Mountaineers, assisting on the game winner before scoring a second-half insurance goal.

The Explorers swept the first Soccer Six weekly awards of the season for their efforts, with Plumhoff earning Player of the Week, John McCarthy earning Defender of the Week and Joe Farrell earning Rookie of the Week.

Plumhoff, who currently ranks second in the Atlantic 10 in points (7) and first in points per game (2.33), has had a hand in all three game-winning goals this season and is nearly halfway to his career-high 20 points last season. Farrell has also provided an offensive spark, with one goal and two assists for four points.

McCarthy boasts a .889 save percentage, which currently ranks third in the Atlantic 10. He has recorded 16 saves while posting back-to-back shutouts.

Scouting the Bison

Bucknell comes in looking for its first win after tying Atlantic 10 newcomers Butler and VCU to open the season and falling 2-1 at Florida Gulf Coast in double overtime in its last time out.

Jesse Klug and Joe Meyer are the two Bison with goals so far this season. The Bison also return Preseason All-Patriot League picks Brendan Burgdorf and Mayowa Alli, who helped lead the team to the NCAA Tournament two years ago. The Bison were picked sixth in the Patriot League coaches' poll, but were listed as the preseason league favorites on TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Rookie goalkeeper Mike Lansing has manned the net in each of Bucknell's three contests so far, recording a .833 save percentage.

Scouting the Leopards

Lafayette comes into the weekend after dropping a 3-1 decision at Quinnipiac last Sunday. The Leopards' lone win so far this season was a 3-2 triumph over Penn on Aug. 31.

Alec Golini leads the squad with two goals for four points. Blake Fink and Tom McCutcheon have also found the back of the net one time each.

Nathan McDonald has handled goalkeeping duties so far, recording a 2.00 goals against average and .714 save percentage.

Midfielder Sean Peckham and defender Julian Plummer were named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team, and the Leopards were chosen fifth in the preseason coaches' poll.

Next Up

The Explorers head on the road for their third straight Patriot League foe, with kickoff at Lehigh on Wednesday at 7 p.m., before returning home next Saturday (9/15) for a tilt against Long Island.