Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
#18 Santa Clara (Navy Open)
Eleven Saves from Belenky Helps No. 17 Bucknell Past No. 18 Santa Clara in Men's Water Polo, 9-8
9/2/2006 8:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Sept. 2, 2006
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Luke Belenky (Kensington, Md./German School) made a career-high 11 saves and allowed just two second-half goals as the No. 17 Bucknell men's water polo team defeated No. 18 Santa Clara by a 9-8 margin Saturday evening at the Navy Open. With a win over Queens earlier in the day the Bison are 2-0 for the first time since 1998.
Belenky entered the contest with just 34 career saves, but reached double figures against the Broncos as he made a save on the final possession to preserve the win.
Mark Masterson (Kihei, Hawaii/Marin) helped the defensive effort in front of Belenky with five steals. He also added three goals and one assist for the second consecutive game. Josh Sunday (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) and Kyle Roslyn (Philadelphia, Pa./William Penn Charter) each added two goals and an assist as five Bison scored goals.
Bucknell actually trailed 6-5 at halftime, but outscored Santa Clara 4-2 after intermission to end a six-game losing streak to ranked opponents. The Bison last defeated a ranked foe when they downed then-No. 12 Princeton in overtime at Kinney Natatorium last October. The last time Bucknell won over a ranked team away from home was against then-No. 13 Navy in September 2004.
The Bison wrap up play at the Navy Open Sunday morning with games against No. 1 California at 8 a.m. and MIT at 11:30 a.m. The contest with the Bears marks the second consecutive season Bucknell has faced the top-ranked team in the nation. Last year it lost to UCLA 12-2. The Bison will be aiming for their first 3-0 start since 1992.
SANTA CLARA 3 3 1 1 -8
BUCKNELL 3 2 2 2 -9
Goals: Masterson (3), Sunday (2), Roslyn (2), Robinson, Doyle.
Assists: Rechel (2), Masterson, Ang, Sunday, Roslyn.
Ejections Drawn: Masterson (3), Heiber (3), Rechel (2), Robinson.
Saves: Belenky (11 svs., 8 ga., 28:00 min.)
Steals: Masterson (5), Robinson, Heiber, Rechel, Anderson, Roslyn.
Sprints: Rechel (3-4).
Record: 2-0
