Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
#10 Navy
Bucknell Men's Water Polo Plays Another Ranked Opponent Tough, Falls to No. 10 Navy 11-7
9/30/2006 8:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Sept. 30, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell men's water polo team played an outstanding first half and held No. 10 Navy to just one goal through the first 16 minutes of play, but the 17th-ranked Bison could not hold on to their 3-1 halftime lead as the Mids came back to defeat Bucknell 11-7 in a CWPA Southern Division league game Saturday night at Kinney Natatorium.
Neither team netted a goal in the first quarter, and Bucknell outscored Navy 3-1 in the second to make it look like an upset was in the making. However, the Mids outscored the Bison 7-3 in the third quarter and went on a 5-0 run that spanned the third and fourth quarters to take a commanding 11-6 lead. That five-goal spread was the largest of the game for either team.
The Bison defense was strong in the first half and the team tallied 14 steals in all, including a team-high three from Mark Masterson (Kihei, Hawaii/Marin). Masterson also paced the team on the offensive end with two goals and an assist. Five other Bucknell players netted one goal apiece.
Despite the balanced scoring from the Bison, Navy (14-5, 4-0 CWPA Southern Division) was able to use its depth to its advantage, outscoring Bucknell 10-4 after halftime. Aaron Recko led the Mids with four goals and one assist in the contest.
Both teams were able to convert on a pair of extra-man opportunities. Navy was 2-for-6, while Bucknell was 2-for-4.
Luke Belenky (Kensington, Md./German School) had a solid outing in goal for the Bison, especially in the first half. The junior allowed just one goal and made six saves in the first half. He added in three more saves after intermission for his total of nine.
Bucknell, which is now 7-6 overall and 2-2 in CWPA Southern Division play, travels to California next weekend. The Bison will play in the Claremont Convergence on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6-7, before traveling to Malibu, Calif., for games with Pepperdine and UC Davis on Sunday, Oct. 8.
NAVY 0 1 7 3 -11
BUCKNELL 0 3 3 1 -7
Goals: Masterson (2), Heiber, Rechel, Eimstad, Schultz, Roslyn.
Assists: Robinson, Masterson.
Ejections Drawn: Heiber (2), Rechel, Lampley.
Saves: Belenky (9 svs., 11 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Masterson (3), Heiber (2), Rechel (2), Eimstad (2), Roslyn (2), Robinson, Sunday, Belenky.
Sprints: Rechel (1-4).
Record: 7-6, 2-2 CWPA Southern Division
