Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Marist
Balanced Scoring Attack Helps Bucknell Women's Water Polo to 12-6 Win Over Marist in Season Opener
2/9/2008 7:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Feb. 9, 2008
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Five different Bison scored two goals apiece as the Bucknell women's water polo team opened up its 2008 campaign with a 12-6 victory over Marist Saturday morning at the Hilton Hotels Colorado State Invitational. It was the third time in the last four years Bucknell has won its season opener.
Veterans Valentina Rozas (Pico Rivera, Calif./El Rancho) and Jennifer Swoyer (Erie, Pa./McDowell) each scored two goals for the Bison, while freshmen Kandis Canonica (Burlingame, Calif./St. Ignatius Prep), Flavia McBride (Irvine, Calif./University) and Haley Prickett (Newport Beach, Calif./Corona del Mar) did as well.
Rozas tied Shana Palencia (Glendale, Calif./Hoover) for team-high honors with four points. Rozas dished out two assists to go along with her two goals, while Palencia totaled one goal and a career-high three assists.
Bucknell (1-0) jumped out to an early lead in the contest, holding a 6-2 advantage at halftime. It extended the lead to 11-3 at the end of three quarters. Marist (0-1) outscored the Bison 3-1 in the final frame to cut its final deficit to six goals.
Sophomore goalkeeper Alison Carter (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) made her fourth career start and stopped seven shots. She has posted at least five saves in six of her 10 career appearances.
With the victory, Bucknell improved to 6-1 all-time against the Red Foxes. Additionally, interim head coach John Abdou won his first game, making him the second coach in program history to win his debut.
The game with Marist marked the first of five the Bison will play this weekend, and the first of three on Saturday. They will take on UC Santa Cruz at 3:45 p.m. (Eastern) and host Colorado State at 7:45 p.m. (Eastern) later on Saturday.
MARIST 2 0 1 3 -6
BUCKNELL 2 4 5 1 -12
Goals: Swoyer (2), Rozas (2), Canonica (2), McBride (2), Prickett (2), Palencia, Vallis.
Assists: Palencia (3), Rozas (2), Vallis, Canonoica.
Ejections Drawn: Allen (4), Rozas (2), Swoyer, Rowe.
Saves: Carter (7 svs., 6 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Rozas (3), Palencia (2), Gins (2), Vallis (2), Allen (2), Prickett (2), Swoyer, Canonica, McBride.
Sprints: Canonica (0-2), Rowe (0-1), Rozas (0-1).
Record: 1-0
