Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
#14 Michigan
Bucknell Women's Water Polo Downed by No. 14 Michigan, 12-5
3/1/2009 7:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
March 1, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Valentina Rozas (Pico Rivera, Calif./El Rancho) and Kandis Canonica (Burlingame, Calif./St. Ignatius Prep) each drew four ejections and the Bucknell women's water polo team had 12 six-on-five opportunities, but the Bison converted just three times in those situations as they lost to No. 14 Michigan 12-5 Sunday at Kinney Natatorium. It was the second consecutive loss for Bucknell, which wraps up play at the Elite Six Invitational Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. against No. 15 Hartwick.
Bucknell (6-7) played the Wolverines tough early as the score was tied 3-3 at the end of the first quarter. However, Michigan (11-8), which went 3-1 in its four games this weekend, scored nine of the contest's final 11 goals.
The Bison scored the first goal of the game after back-to-back ejections on Michigan set up a six-on-four scenario. Canonica, who totaled a team-high two goals and one assist, tallied that first score of the game.
After two straight goals by the Wolverines, Shana Palencia (Glendale, Calif./Hoover) evened the score with another six-on-five goal. Michigan retook the lead at 3-2 when Meagan Cobb tallied the first of her two goals in the game. Thirteen seconds later Hallie Kennan (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) evened the score once again when she scored from the right wing.
Kennan's goal was the last one for the Bison for nearly 12 minutes as Michigan extended its advantage to 6-3. Canonica's second goal, which came less than two minutes into the third period, brought Bucknell to within two, but it would draw no closer the rest of the way as the Wolverines registered six of the final seven goals.
For the second straight game, Bucknell logged major minutes without senior captain Aubrey Rowe (Carlisle, Pa./Cumberland Valley), who was whistled for two first-half ejections. Her third infraction came with 5:51 left in the third quarter with the score 6-4. Michigan outscored the Bison 6-1 the rest of the way. Rowe did contribute a team-high two assists and one steal.
Rachel McGillis (Los Altos, Calif./Los Altos) played goalie for the Bison, just her second game action since Feb. 7. The senior stopped a season-high 11 shots.
Four different Wolverines netted two goals – Leah Robertson, Julie Hyrne, Cobb and Lauren Orth – and Michigan outshot Bucknell by a 28-21 margin.
The Bison will complete their first of two home weekends of play this year Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. against No. 15 Hartwick. Bucknell is 0-5 against ranked opponents this season.
MICHIGAN 3 2 4 3 -12
BUCKNELL 3 0 2 0 -5
Goals: Canonica (2), Palencia, Vallis, Kennan.
Assists: Rowe (2), Palencia, Canonica.
Ejections Drawn: Rozas (4), Canonica (4), Palencia (2), Vallis (2), Prickett.
Saves: McGillis (11 svs., 12 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Skonezney (2), Canonica (2), Prickett (2), Palencia, Rozas, Vreeland, Rowe, McGillis.
Sprints: Skonezney (2-4).
Bucknell Record: 6-7
