Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Slippery Rock (Bucknell Invitational)
Bucknell Men's Water Polo Falls to No. 13 Navy and Slippery Rock
9/10/2005 8:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Sept. 10, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Slippery Rock's Sean Casella scored the game-winning goal with 27 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to hand the Bucknell men's water polo team its first loss to an unranked opponent as the Bison dropped a 6-5 decision to The Rock Saturday afternoon at Kinney Natatorium during the second day of the three-day Bucknell Invitational. Bucknell then lost to 13th-ranked Navy 11-6 in the nightcap of its two games Saturday.
Bucknell (2-5), which did not trail against Slippery Rock until Casella's late goal, took a 5-4 lead with 5:33 remaining when Aaron Platshon netted the second of his two goals. The score remained that way until Slippery Rock's Oliver Horrigan scored the third of his team-high three goals with 1:06 on the clock to tie the score.
After a Bison possession, The Rock gained control of the ball with 45 seconds left to play. Platshon was ejected for 20 seconds due to rough play, and Slippery Rock immediately scored in its six-on-five opportunity.
Bucknell did have a chance to tie the score, but Gabriel Heiber's attempt just inside of 20 seconds was saved by The Rock goalie Glenn Reepmeyer, who had 13 saves and three steals in the game.
Both teams had excellent chances to take a one-goal advantage with the score tied 4-4 and just over two minutes showing on the clock in the third quarter. First, Casella had a shot from right in front of the goal that deflected off the crossbar. On Bucknell's next possession Platshon did the same thing as his shot glanced off the crossbar. Less than a minute later Platshon, who took a team-high nine shots, had another chance to give the Bison the lead with a penalty shot. However, Reepmeyer got his finger on the shot and kept it out of the goal.
Mark Masterson, who had two first half goals, and Jason Rechel, who tallied the first goal of the game less than 90 seconds into play, joined Platshon in the Bucknell scoring column. Masterson, Rechel and Josh Sunday each added an assist.
Trevor Mullins made seven saves in goal for the Bison as Slippery Rock attempted 20 shots.
Bucknell did play the game without brothers Brad and Kyle Roslyn, who came into the game as the fourth- and second-leading scorers on the team, respectively.
The Roslyn's returned to play in the nightcap against Navy, but it was not enough as the Midshipmen held off the Bison for the 11-6 victory.
After a low-scoring first half which saw Navy bring a 3-1 lead into halftime, the two teams combined for eight goals in the third quarter. Bucknell pulled within one goal at 3-2 after a Mark Masterson goal to open the third quarter flurry, but it would not draw closer as the Mids netted four goals in just over a two-minute span.
The Bison stayed close early in the game due to their defense. They tallied four steals in the first quarter, and seven for the game. Mullins, who was making his 43rd consecutive start made a season-high eight saves, including six after halftime, in goal.
Masterson, who scored a team-high two goals, and Kyle Roslyn, who registered one goal and a team-high two assists, led the offensive charge for Bucknell. Brad Roslyn, Rechel and Nick Ferring each scored one goal as well.
The Bison continue play at the Bucknell Invitational with two more games Sunday. They face 19th-ranked Johns Hopkins at 9:10 a.m. and Salem International at 1:20 p.m. to wrap up their weekend of competition.
Game 1
SLIPPERY ROCK 1 2 1 2 -- 6
BUCKNELL 2 2 0 1 -- 5
Goals: Platshon (2), Masterson (2), Rechel.
Assists: Masterson, Rechel, Sunday.
Ejections Drawn: Sunday (2), Masterson, Heiber, Rechel, Platshon, Metcalf, Lampley.
Saves: Mullins (7 svs., 6 ga)
Steals: Platshon (4), Heiber, Rechel, Metcalf, Lampley.
Sprints: Rechel (4-4).
Record: 2-4
Game 2
NAVY 2 1 5 3 -- 11
BUCKNELL 0 1 3 2 -- 6
Goals: Masterson (2), B. Roslyn, Rechel, Ferring, K. Roslyn.
Assists: Platshon (2), K. Roslyn (2), Masterson, Rechel.
Ejections Drawn: Platshon (3), K. Roslyn (3), B. Roslyn (2), Heiber (2), Rechel (2), Sunday, Robinson.
Saves: Mullins (8 svs., 11 ga).
Steals: Platshon (2), K. Roslyn (2), B. Roslyn, Masterson, Rechel.
Sprints: Rechel (1-3), Platshon (0-1).
Record: 2-5
