Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
#8 San Diego State
Bucknell Women's Water Polo Comes Up Short vs. Two Nationally Ranked Opponents at Aztec Invitational
3/17/2012 8:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
March 17, 2012
SAN DIEGO, Calif. –Bucknell entered the final weekend of its Spring Break trip to California with a formidable lineup of opponents on the schedule. The Bison opened the two-day Aztec Invitational Saturday against No. 8 San Diego State and No. 14 Hawaii and came away with a pair of losses. The Bison dropped an 11-5 decision to the host Aztecs in the opener and then fell by a 9-7 score to the Rainbow Wahine.
Julianne Valdes (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep), Hallie Kennan (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) and Krystle Morgan (Rowland Heights, Calif./Rosary) had the exact same scoring line on the day as all three players scored one goal vs. San Diego State and two goals against Hawaii. The trio accounted for nine of the team's 12 scores on the day. Valdes now leads the team with 37 goals this season, while Kennan is third with 33.
Bucknell (10-16) was outscored by a 7-0 margin in the first quarters on Saturday. The other three quarters featured just a one-goal deficit (13-12).
Against San Diego State, the Bison fell behind 4-0 after one quarter of play and never got back in the game. Four of Bucknell's five goals were six-on-five scores, while it limited the Aztecs to just two man-up situations. Taylor Barnett (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake), who leads the team with 53 ejections drawn this year, drew a team-high four ejections in the contest.
The first-quarter dry spell hurt Bucknell in game two as Hawaii went up 3-0 in the first period. The Bison battled back and trailed just 6-4 entering the final period, but the Rainbow Wahine tallied three goals in the final stanza to fight off Bucknell's comeback. The Bison were unable to convert any of their nine six-on-five opportunities against Hawaii.
Goalie Rena Heim (Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin) registered 13 saves in the two games Saturday as she played all 64 minutes in cage.
Bucknell has now faced five ranked opponents on its 12-game trip to California. The Bison have played eight ranked foes overall this year.
Bucknell will wrap up its trip to California, as well as the Aztec Invitational, Sunday. The Bison will play No. 12 Cal State Northridge at 1:30 p.m. (Eastern) and No. 9 UC San Diego at 5:15 p.m.
Game 1
BUCKNELL 0 1 2 2 -5
SAN DIEGO STATE 4 2 4 1 -11
Goals: Valdes, Ferry, Peterson, Kennan, Morgan.
Assists: Murao (2), Valdes, Kennan, Morgan.
Field Blocks: Smith.
Ejections Drawn: Barnett (4), Morgan (3), Valdes, Carroll.
Saves: Heim (5 svs., 11 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Kennan (3), Heim (3), Smith, Valdes, Murao.
Sprints: Valdes (3-3), Carroll (0-1).
Bucknell Record: 10-15.
Game 2
BUCKNELL 0 2 2 3 -7
HAWAII 3 2 1 3 -9
Goals: Valdes(2), Kennan (2), Morgan (2), Shopiro.
Assists: Murao (2), Valdes.
Field Blocks: none.
Ejections Drawn: Barnett (3), Valdes (3), Ferry, Murao, Peterson.
Saves: Heim (8 svs., 9 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Kennan (2), Smith, Heim.
Sprints: Valdes (4-4).
Bucknell Record: 10-16.
