Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Mercyhurst
Bucknell Women's Water Polo Posts First Two Wins of 2012
2/12/2012 7:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Feb. 12, 2012
PRINCETON, N.J. –Amanda Skonezney (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) tallied seven goals and Bucknell outscored its opponents 17-6 in the first half as the Bison women's water polo team earned its first two wins of the 2012 season Sunday at the Princeton Invitational. Bucknell opened the day with a 16-8 victory over George Washington and then followed with a 9-3 win against Mercyhurst.
Skonezney was one of three Bison to score three goals against the Colonials as Heather Smith (Redwood City, Calif./Scared Heart Prep) and Krystle Morgan (Rowland Heights, Calif./Rosary) also found the back of the net three times. All three of Smith's goals came in a pivotal second quarter that saw Bucknell outscore George Washington 6-1 to turn a 5-3 deficit into a 9-6 halftime advantage.
Julianne Valdes (Miami, Fla./Gulliver) and Taylor Barnett (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) added two goals apiece to give the Bison five multi-goal scorers in the contest. Four of Bucknell's 16 goals came on five-meter penalty shots. Overall on the day, the Bison netted six penalty shot goals as they had two more in the nightcap opposite the Lakers.
Smith added three steals and two ejections drawn to go along with her three goals. Bucknell totaled a season-high 15 steals against George Washington, including five by goalie Brittany Connell (Montebello, Calif./Montebello), who saw her first action of the year and recorded four saves in both games.
Skonezney scored four more goals in the second game, equaling her career high. She helped the Bison jump out to an 8-0 halftime lead and coast to the six-goal victory. Freshman Barbara Peterson (Palo Alto, Calif./Catilleja) chipped in three goals, while Smith and Hallie Kennan (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) rounded out the score with a goal apiece.
Bucknell was especially strong on defense in six-on-five situations against the Lakers, yielding Mercyhurst just one goal in 11 opportunities.
Stephanie Ovalle (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick), who won 65 percent of her sprints last year as a freshman, was 6-for-6 on sprints Sunday.
The Bison will get to play in front of a home crowd for the first time this season next weekend when they host the Bison Invitational. Bucknell will play two games on both Saturday and Sunday, facing Siena, Brown, Wagner and No. 15 Hartwick.
Game 1
GEORGE WASHINGTON 5 1 2 0 -8
BUCKNELL 3 6 3 4 -16
Goals: Skonezney (3), Smith (3), Morgan (3), Valdes (2), Barnett (2), Ovalle, Peterson, Kennan.
Assists: Skonezney (2), Carroll (2), Valdes, Shopiro, Murao, Bozorghadad, Kennan.
Field Blocks: none
Ejections Drawn: Valdes (3), Smith (2), Skonezney, Shopiro, Morgan, Carroll.
Saves: Connell (4 svs., 8 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Connell (5), Smith (3), Skonezney (2), Kennan (2), Valdes, Ferry, Barnett.
Sprints: Ovalle (3-3), Skonezney (0-1).
Bucknell Record: 1-2.
Game 2
MERCYHURST 0 0 2 1 -3
BUCKNELL 3 5 0 1 -9
Goals: Skonezney (4), Peterson (3), Smith, Kennan.
Assists: Carroll (2), Smith, Connell.
Field Blocks: Kennan (2). Ejections Drawn: Smith (3), Barnett (2), Shopiro, Frankeny.
Saves: Connell (4 svs., 3 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Smith (3), Valdes (2), Barnett, Murao, Bozorghadad, Connell.
Sprints: Ovalle (3-3), Smith (1-1).
Bucknell Record: 2-2.
