Bucknell University
George Washington
No. 17 Bucknell Men's Water Polo Splits with George Washington and Johns Hopkins
10/2/2004 8:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Oct. 2, 2004
WASHINGTON, D.C./BALTIMORE, Md. - The Bucknell men's water polo team nearly pulled off a sweep of George Washington and Johns Hopkins for the second time this year, but fell just one goal short as it dropped a 14-13 decision to the Blue Jays after opening the day with a 13-7 victory over the Colonials.
In the nightcap, the Bison (10-4, 4-1 CWPA) trailed Johns Hopkins 9-2 at halftime and 12-5 following three periods of play, but stormed back with eight goals in the final quarter to cut the lead to 14-13. With 18 seconds remaining, Bucknell stole the ball and called timeout. Head coach John Zeigler was able to set up a play, but Kyle Roslyn's final attempt at the goal with three seconds remaining sailed wide of the target for the Bison's first loss in league play this year.
Roslyn, who ended the game with two goals, saw his brother, Bradley, lead the team with a season-high five goals and one assist against the Blue Jays. Elliot Benoist and Josh Sunday added two goals apiece, while Aaron Platshon and Nick Ferring rounded out the Bison scoring.
Goalie Trevor Mullins, who made nine saves in the opener with George Washington, stopped a season-high tying 11 shots to bring his season total to 90.
Against the Colonials, Bucknell raced out to a 5-2 first-quarter lead and never looked back on its way to the 13-7 victory. A balanced attack that saw seven Bison score, with only Benoist registering more than two scores as he found the back of the net four times to bring his season total to a team-high 25 goals, was the key to victory.
Sean Robinson, Bradley Roslyn and Kyle Roslyn each netted two goals, while Jason Rechel, Jay Danforth and Jared Gray each scored once. In the two games Saturday, 10 different Bison scored.
Earlier this season, Bucknell, ranked 17th in the latest national poll, swept the Colonials and Blue Jays at home at Kinney Natatorium. The Bison upended George Washington 9-3 and nipped Johns Hopkins 6-5.
The loss to the Blue Jays was the first loss for the Bison against a team not ranked in the top 10 at the time they played. Last year, Bucknell finished the season with a 10-20 record. With Saturday's victory over the Colonials, the Bison reached the 10-win plateau by their 13th game for the first time since 1999.
Bucknell will travel to Claremont, Calif., for the annual Claremont Convergence next weekend. The two-day tournament opens Friday, Oct. 8, with a game against Whittier at 1:30 p.m. (EDT). The second game of the day for the Bison will feature Santa Clara at 8 p.m. (EDT).
BUCKNELL 5 1 3 4 -- 13 GEORGE WASHINGTON 2 1 2 2 -- 7Goals: Benoist (4), Robinson (2), B. Roslyn (2), K. Roslyn (2), Rechel, Danforth, Gray. Assists: Mullins, Yerkes, Ferring, Danforth Ejections Drawn: B. Roslyn, Robinson, Rechel, Soper, Danforth, Gray, K. Roslyn. Saves: Mullins (9 svs., 7 ga). Steals: Danforth (4), Rechel (2), Metcalf, Gray. Record: 10-3 (4-0 Southern Division).
BUCKNELL 0 2 3 8 -- 13 JOHNS HOPKINS 5 4 3 2 -- 14Goals: B. Roslyn (5), Benoist (2), K. Roslyn (2), Sunday (2), Platshon, Ferring. Assists: Benoist, Ferring Ejections Drawn: B. Roslyn (3), K. Roslyn. Saves: Mullins (11 svs., 14 ga). Steals: K. Roslyn (3), Danforth (3), Sunday. Record: 10-4 (4-1 Southern Division).
