Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Salem International (Bucknell Invitational)
Men's Water Polo Ends Bucknell Invitational with Two Close Victories
9/11/2005 8:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Sept. 11, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - After dropping its first three games of the weekend-long Bucknell Invitational, the Bison men's water polo team came back to win its final two games of the three-day affair Sunday at Kinney Natatorium. Bucknell downed No. 19 Johns Hopkins, 7-5, in its first game of the day, and followed with a 13-11 overtime victory over Salem International to improve to 4-5.
After a scoreless first quarter in the opener against nationally ranked Johns Hopkins, the Blue Jays opened the scoring with 5:35 left in the second quarter when Sean McCreery netted his only goal of the contest. That lead would not last long as Nick Ferring answered just over a minute later with the first of five consecutive goals for the Bison to even the score. He put Bucknell ahead for good with 1:33 left in the frame with his second goal in less than three minutes.
One goal by Kyle Roslyn and two by Mark Masterson in the opening minutes of the second half stretched the Bison lead to 5-1, their largest of the game. Johns Hopkins did cut the lead to 5-2, but Jason Rechel broke free and took a long pass from goalkeeper Trevor Mullins and scored on a breakaway to make the gap four goals heading into the fourth quarter.
The Blue Jays made a valiant effort, scoring the first three goals of the period to narrow the score to 6-5 with 31 seconds remaining. However, McCreery was whistled for a penalty and Josh Sunday converted the penalty shot with four seconds showing on the clock to seal the victory for Bucknell.
Masterson and Ferring led the Bison attack with two goals apiece. Aaron Platshon, who led the team with seven assists entering the game, added two to his season total, and tallied one goal as well.
Along with earning an assist, Mullins equaled his season high of eight saves. Kyle Roslyn also had a solid defensive showing, registering a team-high three steals. As a team, Bucknell had eight thefts.
The victory over the Blue Jays was Bucknell's first in five tries against ranked foes this year.
Later on in the day the Bison squared off against Salem International in an attempt to post a 2-3 record for the weekend. It took overtime, but Bucknell was able to hold on for the victory as it produced its highest point total of the weekend with 13 goals.
The Tigers built a three-goal lead on two separate occasions, including early in the third quarter. However, the Bison stormed back with four straight goals by four different players in a span of less than two minutes to take an 8-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
The two teams traded goals until the score was 9-9 in the final minute of regulation. Salem had a chance to score the go-ahead goal when Igor Milanovic attempted a shot from point-blank range on the left side of the goal, but Mullins, who made seven saves, reacted quickly and stopped the shot. He immediately found Masterson streaking down the right side of the pool. Masterson gave the ball up to Rechel right in front of the goal, and Rechel found the back of the net for the second time in the game and gave Bucknell a 10-9 lead with 38 seconds left.
Salem wasted little time in evening the score for the fifth time in the game as it scored just 18 seconds later.
The Bison had one more chance to win the game in regulation, but could not convert despite a six-on-five opportunity in the final seconds.
Just one goal was scored in the first of the two three-minute overtime periods, and that was by Sunday, with 1:07 left.
Masterson, who tied Brad and Kyle Roslyn for the team lead with three goals in the game, gave Bucknell a 12-10 lead 31 seconds into the second overtime period. A goal by the Tigers with just inside of two minutes to play brought them to within one again, but Kyle Roslyn sealed the Bucknell victory with a goal with 53 seconds left on the clock.
The Bucknell offense produced 35 shots and six players scored goals, while seven players tallied assists. Rechel led the way with three assists, while Platshon and Ferring added two each. Rechel also registered a pair of steals.
The Bison will travel to California next weekend. They will play Whittier and Cal Baptist Friday, and then take part in the Southern California Tournament Saturday and Sunday. Their first opponent in the Southern California Tournament is top-ranked UCLA.
Game 1
JOHNS HOPKINS 0 1 1 3 -- 5
BUCKNELL 0 2 4 1 -- 7
Goals: Masterson (2), Ferring (2), Rechel, Platshon, Sunday.
Assists: Platshon (2), Mullins, Heiber, K. Roslyn.
Ejections Drawn: Heiber, K. Roslyn.
Saves: Mullins (8 svs., 5 ga)
Steals: K. Roslyn (3), Robinson, B. Roslyn, Masterson, Platshon, Ferring.
Sprints: Rechel (1-3), Platshon (0-1).
Record: 3-5
Game 2
SALEM INTERNATIONAL 2 4 1 3 0 1 --11
BUCKNELL 1 3 4 2 1 2 -- 13
Goals: Masterson (3), B. Roslyn (3), K. Roslyn (3), Rechel (2), Sunday, Ferring.
Assists: Rechel (3), Platshon (2), Ferring (2), Robinson, B. Roslyn, Masterson, K. Roslyn.
Ejections Drawn: B. Roslyn (4), Rechel (2), Platshon (2), Heiber, Ferring, Sunday.
Saves: Mullins (7 svs., 11 ga).
Steals: Rechel (2), Platshon, Ferring.
Sprints: Rechel (4-5), Platshon (1-1).
Record: 4-5
