Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
#14 St. Francis (N.Y.) (ECAC Championship)
Bucknell Men's Water Polo Falls to No. 14 St. Francis (N.Y.), 13-11, in ECAC Championship Semifinals
9/23/2006 8:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Sept. 23, 2006
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - In a game similar to their meeting two weeks ago at Kinney Natatorium, the No. 18 Bucknell men's water polo team fell to No. 14 St. Francis (N.Y.) 13-11 Saturday evening in the semifinals of the ECAC Championship at Smith Swim Center. The Bison and Terriers played to the same score in their last meeting.
Bucknell, which was seeded fourth in the eight-team field, will face Princeton Sunday at 12 p.m. for third place, while top-seeded St. Francis will battle Navy for the championship at 1:30 p.m.
Much like two weeks ago, the Bison fell behind in the first quarter, trailing 4-1 after eight minutes of play. They battled back, but could not take the lead even though four players tallied multiple-goal games and were 5 of 13 in six-on-five opportunities. St. Francis had just five extra-man chances.
Mark Masterson (Kihei, Hawaii/Marin), who was held scoreless for the first time this year earlier in the day against Brown, tied Josh Sunday (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) for team-high honors with three goals. Jason Rechel (Columbus, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) and Kyle Roslyn (Philadelphia, Pa./William Penn Charter) each added two goals. Roslyn also dished out a team-high three assists.
Luke Belenky (Kensington, Md./German School) had a solid showing in goal with seven saves.
The Bison, who are 6-3 overall, fell to 2-3 against ranked opponents this season. In addition to the two losses to the Terriers, Bucknell lost to then-No. 1 California at the season-opening Navy Open.
With a win Sunday against No. 16 Princeton, a team the Bison will face at least two more times this season, Bucknell will eclipse last year's fourth-place showing at the ECAC Championship.
BUCKNELL 1 4 2 4 -11
ST. FRANCIS (N.Y.) 4 3 3 3 -13
Goals: Masterson (3), Sunday (3), Rechel (2), Roslyn (2), Robinson.
Assists: Roslyn (3), Rechel (2), Robinson, Ang, Schultz, Lampley.
Ejections Drawn: Rechel (4), Roslyn (4), Masterson (2), Robinson, Heiber, Eimstad.
Saves: Belenky (7 svs., 13 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Rechel (2), Robinson, Masterson, Roslyn, Belenky.
Sprints: Rechel (2-4).
Record: 6-3
