Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Wagner (Bucknell Invitational)
Bucknell Women's Water Polo Completes Perfect Weekend with Wins over Wagner and Marist
2/20/2005 7:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Feb. 20, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Meg Blitzer, Meagan Gins and Cody Keffer each scored two goals to help the Bucknell women's water polo team hold off Wagner 6-5 in its first game, and eight different players tallied goals as the Bison defeated Marist 9-4 in their second contest of the day Sunday at Kinney Natatorium. Bucknell completed the three-day, 10-team Bucknell Invitational with a perfect 5-0 record. The Bison were the only squad in the field to accomplish that feat.
The Bison, who at 8-1 are off to their best start in the history of the program, looked like they would cruise to their fourth victory of the weekend, and fifth consecutive overall, as they built a 5-1 lead midway through the third quarter of the opener against Wagner. However, the Seahawks tallied three straight goals, and four of the final five in the game, to give Bucknell a scare. Wagner actually had a chance to tie the game on its last possession but turned the ball over with 15 seconds remaining on the game clock to seal the victory for the Bison.
What proved to be the game-winning goal came from Keffer with 3:17 to play. Amanda Nogic, Gins and Keffer each pelted Wagner goalie Katie Hauck with shots in succession. Keffer grabbed the rebound from Gins' shot and beat Hauck to give Bucknell a 6-4 lead. Wagner added its fifth goal just over two minutes later.
Jessica Trimis tallied two assists for Bucknell, which improved to 3-0 all-time against Wagner. Katie Hartigan and Gins also added assists.
Mandy Bynum made seven saves in goal to bring her season total to 47. She has given up just 33 goals for a .598 save percentage.
In the second game, the Bison faced a Marist squad they defeated 13-4 last weekend and came away with a similar result. With nearly every player on the roster appearing the game, Bucknell cruised behind a balanced scoring attack that featured seven different players with one goal each to go along with two scores from Jennifer Swoyer.
The Bison, who are outscoring opponents 25-7 in the first quarter this season, jumped on top 2-0 at the end of the first period against the Red Foxes. They tacked on three more goals for a 5-2 halftime lead, before clinching the game with a three-goal output in the third quarter to take an 8-3 lead entering the final period.
Katie Colgan, who leads the team with a .696 save percentage, made eight saves in net to bring her season total to 32.
With the win over Marist, Bucknell improved to 3-0 all-time versus the Red Foxes.
Thanks to three goals on the day Blitzer drew closer to Brooke Rea's career Bucknell scoring record. With 154 goals Blitzer is just seven shy of equaling Rea's mark. She also ranks third on the career points list with 218, just 12 behind the second-place Rea. Keffer is also moving up the charts. With one assist against Marist she is just 11 behind second place on the career assists list.
Bucknell, which has won six straight games and has never stood at 8-1 in the seven-year history of the program, is already halfway to its win total all of last year. The Bison will try to keep their streak alive next weekend when they travel to College Park, Md., for the Terrapin Invitational. Bucknell will face Maryland Friday, Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. The Bison will then face the Terps again the next evening at 5 p.m. before returning home. Earlier in the day on Saturday Bucknell will take on a club team that won't count in its overall record.
Game 1
WAGNER 0 1 1 3 -- 5
BUCKNELL 2 1 2 1 -- 6
Goals: Blitzer (2), Keffer (2), Gins (2).
Assists: Trimis (2), Hartigan, Gins.
Ejections Drawn: Gins (4), Keffer (2), Hartigan (2), Blitzer (2).
Saves: Bynum (7 svs., 5 ga).
Steals: Keffer, Trimis, Aiken, Hartigan, Jensen, Sullivan.
Record: 7-1
Game 2
MARIST 0 2 1 1 -- 4
BUCKNELL 2 3 3 1 -- 9
Goals: Swoyer (2), Ketterer, Keffer, Blitzer, Jensen, Nogic, Gins, Grant
Assists: Keffer, Hartigan, Eckert, Abuhoff, Gins, Fischer, Swoyer, Stalker.
Ejections Drawn: Trimis, Hartigan, Grant.
Saves: Colgan (8 svs., 4 ga).
Steals: Trimis (2), Ketterer, Hartigan, Jensen, Stalker, Grant, Colgan.
Record: 8-1
