Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Wagner
Bucknell Women's Water Polo Drops 9-8 Contest Against Wagner
2/19/2012 7:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Feb. 19, 2012
| BUY PHOTOS | Bison Invitational Schedule/ResultsLEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell women's water polo team outscored Wagner 2-1 in the fourth quarter and nearly overcame a three-goal deficit, but a last-second shot by Hallie Kennan (Palo Alto, Calif/Palo Alto) was saved and the Bison dropped the match by a score of 9-8. The Sunday morning contest was Bucknell's third game of the Bison Invitational, bringing the Bison to a record of 1-2 for the weekend and 3-4 on the season. Kennan had four assists in the match, giving her a team-high of 10 on the season, while sophomore Heather Smith (Redwood City, Calif./Sacred Heart Prep) and freshman Taylor Barnett (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) led the team with two goals apiece.
Wagner (2-3) scored seven straight goals at one point to build its 9-6 fourth quarter advantage. The Bison ended a nearly 16-minute scoring drought with a fourth quarter goal by senior Amanda Skonezney (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley). Smith netted another goal less than a minute later, to bring Bucknell within one with 3:34 to play. However, the Seahawks' tenacious defense in the final minutes prevented the Bison from capitalizing on any scoring opportunities and sending the game into overtime.
Although the Bison started off strong, jumping to a 6-2 lead midway through the second quarter, the momentum shifted in favor of Wagner when senior Molly Robinson (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) scored a long goal as time expired ending the first half of play. The score at halftime was 6-5 in favor of Bucknell.
The Seahawk defense then held Bucknell scoreless in the third quarter as they continued their offensive onslaught, netting three more goals.
Despite their mid-game offensive struggles, the Bison were able to capitalize on ejections drawn, scoring three of their eight goals on six-on-five plays and another goal on a five-meter penalty shot.
Smith's two steals in the match brought her to a team-high of 13 on the season.
The Bison will take on the 16th-ranked Hartwick Hawks in the final game of the Bison Invitational which takes place tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Kinney Natatorium.
WAGNER 2 3 3 1 -9
BUCKNELL 4 2 0 2 -8
Goals: Smith (2), Barnett (2), Skonezney, Shopiro, Kennan, Morgan.
Assists: Kennan (4), Smith, Barnett.
Field Blocks: Valdes, Smith.
Ejections Drawn: Shopiro (2), Barnett (2), Murao (2), Valdes, Skonezney, Morgan.
Saves: Heim (7 svs., 9 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Smith (2), Ovalle, Ferry, Barnett, Peterson, Kennan, Morgan.
Sprints: Smith (2-4).
Bucknell Record: 3-4.
