Bucknell University
Salem International
Bucknell Men's Water Polo Downs Salem International to Take Fifth Place at Eastern Championship
11/14/2004 7:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Nov. 14, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Behind a career-high five goals from Bradley Roslyn and 10 saves in net from Trevor Mullins, the Bucknell men's water polo team defeated Salem International 9-8 Sunday morning at Kinney Natatorium to claim fifth place at the Eastern Championship.
The Bison complete their season with a 17-14 record and their best finish at Easterns since a fourth-place showing in 1998. The 17 wins are the most for Bucknell since it posted a 21-21 mark in 2000. The last time the Bison finished above .500 was 1999.
Roslyn, who scored at least one goal in each quarter, equaled his career high with his five goals as he finished the season with a career- and team-high 50. The junior helped the Bison build their largest lead of the game in the second half. After the Tigers evened the score at 4-4 late in the second quarter, Roslyn answered to stake Bucknell to a 5-4 halftime lead. He then scored both Bison goals in the third period as they led 7-6 at the end of the quarter. He then scored just over a minute into the final frame to give Bucknell an 8-6 lead. Just 23 seconds later Nick Ferring scored his only goal of the contest for a 9-6 advantage, the largest of the game.
Salem International scored two goals in the final five minutes to close the gap to just one. In the final minute the Tigers had possession with a chance to even the score, but could not convert as Bucknell's Aaron Platshon scooped up a loose ball with less than 35 seconds left on the clock to secure the victory for the Bison.
Josh Sunday, who scored two goals, and Jay Danforth, who added one, rounded out the scoring for Bucknell. Jason Rechel had two assists, while Platshon, Joseph Metcalf, Jason Gray and Kyle Roslyn each added one. Platshon also totaled a team-high three steals.
Mullins' total of 10 saves gave him 28 in the three games this weekend to raise his season total to 251. That figure places him 11th on Bucknell's all-time list, just two saves behind 10th place Bill Porter. In his career, the junior has 458 stops, just 122 short of Rupert deVink who ranks fifth on Bucknell's career list.
The victory over Salem International was the third of the year for the Bison. They defeated the Tigers 12-10 in overtime at the Bucknell Invitational in September and 9-8 in overtime during league play in October. Two weeks ago at the Southern Championships Salem International posted a 12-6 win over Bucknell to take third at the Southern Championships.
St. Francis (N.Y.) and Princeton play at Kinney Natatorium Sunday afternoon in the championship game of the Eastern Championship. The winner of that contest earns one of four national berths in the NCAA Tournament, hosted by Stanford, Dec. 4-5.
SALEM INTERNATIONAL 3 1 2 2 -- 8
BUCKNELL 3 2 2 2 -- 9
Goals: B. Roslyn (5), Sunday (2), Ferring, Danforth
Assists: Rechel (2), Platshon, Metcalf, Grray, K. Roslyn.
Ejections Drawn: B. Roslyn (3), Robinson, K. Roslyn.
Saves: Mullins (10 svs., 8 ga).
Steals: B. Roslyn, Robinson, Ferring.
Record: 17-14
