Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Brown (ECAC Championship)
Bucknell Men's Water Polo Opens ECAC Championship with 8-5 Win Against Brown
9/23/2006 8:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Sept. 23, 2006
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The fourth-seeded Bucknell men's water polo team opened the ECAC Championship Saturday morning with a strong defensive effort as it upended fifth-seeded Brown, 8-5, in a first-round game at Smith Swim Center. The Bison, who have allowed fewer goals just one other time this season, will take on No. 14 St. Francis (N.Y.) Saturday evening at 7 p.m.
Josh Sunday (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) keyed the defensive effort by tying his career high with four steals, while Sean Robinson (San Marino, Calif./San Marino) established a new career high with a team-high four goals.
Kyle Roslyn (Philadelphia, Pa./William Penn Charter) added three goals for the Bison, who trailed 2-1 after the first quarter, but didn't allow the Bears more than one goal in any other period.
The Bison defense was also strong in limiting Brown's six-on-five attack. The Bears were just 1-for-6. Bucknell was 2-for-6 in the same situations.
Luke Belenky (Kensington, Md./German School) made six saves in goal for the Bison as he increased his season total to 52.
The victory vaulted Bucknell to a 6-2 record for the first time since opening the 2004 campaign 9-2. The Bison, who advanced to the ECAC Championship game in 2004, are in the semifinals for the third consecutive year.
Sunday's championship contest is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., while the consolation game for third place is slated for 12 p.m.
BROWN 2 1 1 1 -5
BUCKNELL 1 3 2 2 -8
Goals: Robinson (4), Roslyn (3), Rechel.
Assists: Rechel, Anderson, Schultz.
Ejections Drawn: Rechel (3), Heiber (2), Masterson.
Saves: Belenky (6 svs., 5 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Sunday (4), Robinson (2), Rechel, Roslyn, Belenky.
Sprints: Rechel (2-4).
Record: 6-2
