Bucknell University
#16 Princeton
No. 15 Bucknell Men's Water Polo Opens Home Weekend with 9-8 Overtime Loss to No. 16 Princeton
10/14/2011 8:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Oct. 14, 2011
LEWISBURG, Pa. –A near-capacity crowd came out to Kinney Natatorium to watch the 15th-ranked Bucknell men's water polo team face No. 16 Princeton in the Bison's first home contest of the season Friday evening. The fans were treated to an exciting contest, although Bucknell came out on the wrong side of a 9-8 overtime decision. The Tigers scored six of their nine goals in the final four minutes of regulation and overtime, ending the Bison's winning streak at three.
Bucknell (8-3, 3-2 CWPA) led 5-3 midway through the fourth quarter, but Princeton (12-7, 3-2 CWPA) scored on back-to-back possessions to tie the score with just over three minutes to play in regulation. The Bison re-took the lead when Alex Nowlin (Coto de Caza, Calif./Tesoro) found Mike Kimble (Lafayette, Calif./Acalanes) on a backdoor play following a restart with just under one minute to go.
On Princeton's next possession, the Tigers wound down the shot clock and Kayj Shannon scored the equalizing goal just before the horn sounded. Bucknell had one more possession in regulation, but Nowlin lost control of the ball, cementing overtime.
After a relatively low-scoring regulation, both teams netted two goals in the first three-minute overtime period, alternating scores. Brian Barron (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick), who led the Bison with three goals, tied the score at 7-7, while Nowlin scored on a restart with 14 seconds left in the period, tying it at 8-8.
The only goal in the second three-minute overtime session came when Tim Wenzlau, who led the Tigers with a game-high four goals, skipped in what proved to be the game-winning score with 37 seconds left.
Bucknell still had a chance to force a sudden-victory overtime session after Wenzlau's goal, but Sam Butler knocked the ball away from Beau Caillouette (Newport Beach, Calif./Sage Hill School) and Princeton immediately called timeout. With the shot clock turned off, the Tigers were able to melt away the final few seconds for the victory.
The Bison were very effective in the game on six-on-five chances, converting 3 of 4. Princeton was 0-for-8. Bucknell built its 5-3 lead thanks to a pair of six-on-five scores by Barron and Julian Colina (San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic).
The Bison were also strong coming out of timeouts. In fact, all three of Bucknell's second-half goals came directly after timeouts.
Nowlin was the facilitator on offense for the Bison, dishing out four assists to go with his one goal. Five Bucknell players scored one goal apiece, while Barron posted the only multi-goal outing.
The Bison defense was strong, limiting Princeton to just eight shots in the first half. Bucknell registered 17 steals in the game, meaning goalie Matt Napleton (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick) was called upon to make just six saves. He totaled a team-high four steals.
With many of his Bison swimming teammates cheering him on from the stands, Trevor Reitz (Boynton Beach, Fla./Gulliver Prep) won the first five sprints. However, the lost the final overtime period sprint on a jump ball. He is now a stellar 34-for-41 on the season on sprints.
Bucknell needed to overcome a sluggish start as the Tigers scored the game's first two goals. The Bison didn't get on the board until eight seconds remained in the first quarter when Daniel Schwartz (Miami Beach, Fla./Ransom Everglades) scored.
Wenzlau combined with Matt Weber to form most of the Princeton offense as that duo totaled seven of the team's nine goals.
Bucknell was forced to play most of the game without Jack Else (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn), while Princeton was without the services of Drew Hoffenberg, after both were whistled for misconducts in the first quarter.
The Bison and Tigers have now played twice in the last seven days and split the two meetings. Bucknell won last Saturday at Princeton by a 10-6 score.
The Bison will play three more games at Kinney Natatorium this weekend. Next up is Johns Hopkins (12 p.m.) and George Washington (5 p.m.) on Saturday.
PRINCETON 2 0 1 3 2 1 -9
BUCKNELL 1 2 1 2 2 0 -8
Goals: Barron (3), Caillouette, Nowlin, Colina, Schwartz, Kimble.
Assists: Nowlin (4), Richley (2), Reitz.
Field Blocks: Caillouette, Nowlin, Colina, Barron, Kimble.
Ejections Drawn: Kimble (3), Else, Caillouette, Schwartz.
Saves: Napleton (6 svs., 9 ga., 38:00 min.).
Steals: Napleton (4), Caillouette (2), Nowlin (2), Richley (2), Barron (2), Kimble (2), Schwartz, Barnett, Reitz.
Sprints: Reitz (5-6).
Bucknell Record: 8-3, 3-2 CWPA.
