Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Princeton
Bucknell Women's Water Polo Falls to Princeton in Overtime, 10-9, in First Round of Southern Championships
4/18/2009 8:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
April 18, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Bucknell women's water polo team was looking to extend its winning streak against Princeton to three and advance to the title game of the Southern Championships for the second consecutive year, but the Bison lost a 10-9 overtime decision to the Tigers in Saturday's first-round matchup at the Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium. Bucknell (18-13) will now play George Washington (5-21) in the consolation game of the four-team tournament Saturday evening at 5 p.m.
The game was close throughout as the score was tied at the conclusion of the first quarter, third quarter, fourth quarter and the first of the two three-minute overtime periods. However, Phoebe Champion netted the game-winning goal in a six-on-five situation with approximately 1:30 left in the final overtime session.
Haley Prickett (Newport Beach, Calif./Corona del Mar) led the Bison with three goals, while Shana Palencia (Glendale, Calif./Hoover) and Aubrey Rowe (Carlisle, Pa./Cumberland Valley) registered two goals and two assists apiece. Bucknell was forced to play the overtime periods without Rowe, who was whistled for her third ejection in the fourth quarter.
Valentina Rozas (Pico Rivera, Calif./El Rancho) drew a career-high seven ejections against Princeton, marking the most by a Bison since Meagan Gins registered the same number twice during the 2007 campaign. Rozas, Bucknell's leading scorer entering the game with 66 goals, was unable to convert on any of her eight shot attempts, though.
Overall, the Bison drew a season-high 15 ejections, marking the second consecutive game they have reached that figure. Palencia and Kandis Canonica (Burlingame, Calif./St. Ignatius Prep) each drew three.
In goal, Alison Carter (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) stopped 12 shots and garnered a pair of steals. She was one of five Bison players to record two steals as the team totaled 11 in the contest. Carter now has six double-figure save performances this year.
Bucknell had been 2-0 against Princeton (14-11) this year after owning a 1-25 all-time record against the Tigers entering this season.
If Bucknell had beaten Princeton it would have been guaranteed a spot in next week's Eastern Championship. Now, the Bison must wait for one of the two at-large berths into the eight-team field. Bucknell has qualified for the Eastern Championship seven consecutive years.
PRINCETON 3 1 2 2 1 1 -10
BUCKNELL 3 2 1 2 1 0 -9
Goals: Prickett (3), Palencia (2), Rowe (2), Canonica, Kennan.
Assists: Palencia (2), Rowe (2), Canonica, Prickett.
Ejections Drawn: Rozas (7), Canonica (3), Palencia (3), Vallis, Rowe.
Saves: Carter (12 svs., 10 ga., 38:00 min.).
Steals: Palencia (2), Rozas (2), Prickett (2), Rowe (2), Carter (2), Skonezney.
Sprints: Skonezney (3-6).
Bucknell Record: 18-13
