Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Water Polo Opens Season this Weekend Ranked 17th in Nation
8/31/2006 8:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Aug. 31, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - It is not every year a team loses two veteran four-year starters and its starting goalie of three years and doesn't expect a dropoff. The 2006 campaign is one of the years without a step back for the Bucknell men's water polo squad, which is ranked 17th nationally in the Collegiate Water Polo Association Preseason Top-20 Poll.
The Bison open the season this weekend in Annapolis, Md., at the Navy Open against a formidable quartet of opponents that features a pair of ranked foes. The busy weekend gets underway Saturday morning against Queens in Scott Natatorium at 9:50 a.m. That afternoon Bucknell takes on No. 18 Santa Clara in Lejeune Hall. The Bison wrap up their weekend Sunday against No. 1 California at 8 a.m. in Lejeune Hall and MIT at 11:30 a.m. in Scott Natatorium. It is the second consecutive year in which Bucknell will play the top-ranked team in the nation. Last season it lost to UCLA when the Bruins topped the polls.
This weekend will be the first time since 2000 the Bison will begin a season without Trevor Mullins, Aaron Platshon or Brad Roslyn in the pool. Losing 270 goals, more than 450 assists and 706 saves would cause sleepless nights for many coaches, but not eighth-year head coach John Zeigler, a 1991 graduate of Bucknell.
"There were specific roles those guys filled well," said Zeigler, referring to his recently graduated class, which also included Nick Ferring. "However, we have depth and a very good incoming group. Physically, we are stronger in terms of speed and size. Game experience is where we will be tested."
With a daunting schedule much like 2005, when the Bison faced 17 nationally ranked opponents, the team is sure to gain experience quickly.
"Along with our trip out West, the most challenging part of our schedule is sure to be our league slate," predicted Zeigler. "There is parity in the league, even more than last year. We are going to have to be on our toes every single game."
The person chosen to keep the team on its toes is senior Mark Masterson (Kihei, Hawaii/Marin). One of just two seniors on the roster, the Kihei, Hawaii, native was elected unanimously as the team captain. A transfer from UC Irvine before last season, Masterson led the team in scoring with 48 goals and 70 points in his first year in Orange and Blue. Not just an offensive player, Masterson also recorded 32 steals to rank second on the team.
"Mark will again have a big role this season," stated Zeigler. "He brings leadership and experience to the pool and is ready to guide this team as captain."
Helping Masterson shoulder the offensive load should be juniors Jason Rechel (Columbus, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) and Kyle Roslyn (Philadelphia, Pa./William Penn Charter). The duo combined for 69 goals and 33 assists as sophomores. Rechel had a breakout year and tied for second on the team in goals last season, while Roslyn was fourth with 31. Rechel increased his scoring by 22 goals from his freshman campaign, while Roslyn bumped his up by 14. One of the fastest swimmers on the team, Rechel won a team-high 62 of 122 sprints last season.
"I see Jason as one of the key players in our starting rotation," commented Zeigler. "He is a balanced all-around player and I expect him and classmates Kyle Roslyn and Josh Sunday (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) to step into more prominent roles."
Like Rechel and Roslyn, Sunday had a solid sophomore campaign with a career-high 19 goals as he appeared in all 32 games and drew 14 starts. A physical player, Sunday was among the team leaders in ejections drawn with 22, but will take on more of a center-defender job this year.
Zeigler predicts senior Sean Robinson (San Marino, Calif./San Marino), along with sophomores Gabriel Heiber (Aventura, Fla./Miami Beach) and Dan Schultz Orinda, Calif./Miramonte), to have breakout seasons as they increase their time in the rotation. Robinson, who transferred to Bucknell prior to the 2004 season, scored 24 goals in his first year in Orange and Blue, but found the back of the net just four times last season. That number is sure to increase with an initial starting spot on the squad.
Heiber saw action in all 32 games and drew 18 starts as a rookie, but should see even more playing time this year as a regular starter. As a center-foward, Heiber drew a team-high 48 ejections.
Schultz did not see much playing time as a freshman, appearing in just nine games. However, with a year of experience under his belt and strong ball-handling and driving skills, his role is sure to increase.
"All the guys who have been on our roster and played second fiddle to others now have the opportunity to step into prominent roles," predicted Zeigler.
One position that is open is the goalie position with the loss of Mullins. Junior Luke Belenky (Kensington, Md./German School of Washington, D.C.) steps into that position after serving a two-year apprenticeship to Mullins, who is among the program's all-time saves leaders.
Belenky has seen action in just 11 games over the past two years, but owns a .582 career save percentage. Freshman Nick Donahue (Brooklyn, N.Y./Lawrenceville), who measures in at 6'8", will be Belenky's primary backup.
"Luke is ready for this challenge," said Zeigler. "He understands our team defense and wants his chance to be a defensive leader."
Along with openings in the lineup for the veterans, Zeigler expects his strong six-person freshman class to contribute as well.
As the team adjusts to many new roles, there is hope Bucknell will be prominent at the NCAA Championship again. One year after serving as the host school, the Bison wouldn't mind playing in it as opposed to having a prime front-row seat.
Collegiate Water Polo Association Preseason Poll
| Rank | School | Final 2005 Poll | Total Points |
| 1 | University of California, Berkeley | 3 | 99 |
| 2 | University of Southern California | 1 | 95 |
| 3 | University of California, Los Angeles | 5 | 91 |
| 4 | Stanford University | 2 | 85 |
| 5 | University of the Pacific | 6 | 80 |
| 6 | Pepperdine University | 7 | 75 |
| 7 | University of California, San Diego | 10 | 68 |
| 8 | University of California, Irvine | 4 | 63 |
| 9 | Loyola Marymount University | 8 | 63 |
| 10 | University of California, Santa Barbara | 13 | 54 |
| 11 | St. Francis College (N.Y.) | 11 | 50 |
| 11 | Long Beach State University | 9 | 50 |
| 13 | United States Naval Academy | 12 | 42 |
| 14 | University of California, Davis | 13 | 37 |
| 15 | Princeton University | 15 | 32 |
| 16 | University of Redlands | 15 | 27 |
| 17 | Bucknell University | 17 | 20 |
| 18 | Santa Clara University | 20 | 15 |
| 19 | Brown University | 19 | 9 |
| 20 | California Baptist University | NR | 5 |
