Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
#19 UC San Diego
Bucknell Women's Water Polo Wraps Up California Trip with Losses to No. 19 UC San Diego and No. 12 Cal State Northridge
3/18/2012 8:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
March 18, 2012
SAN DIEGO, Calif. –The Bucknell women's water polo team wrapped up a grueling 12-games-in-nine-days trip to California with a pair of losses to two nationally ranked foes Sunday at the Aztec Invitational. The Bison lost the opener to No. 19 UC San Diego by a 10-8 margin after being outscored 4-0 in the fourth quarter. Just a couple hours later they dropped a 17-12 decision to No. 12 Cal State Northridge, their second loss to the Matadors in the past week.
Freshman Taylor Barnett (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) had a strong day with three goals in each contest as she took over the team lead in goals with 41 on the season. Hallie Kennan (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) also registered a pair of multi-goal outings with two goals in each game, while Julianne Valdes (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) totaled three goals and two assists on the day in addition to winning five of six sprints.
Bucknell (10-18) entered the day looking to snap an eight-game losing streak, and it looked like it would against UC San Diego as it led 4-2 at halftime and 8-6 at the end of three quarters. However, the Tritons outscored the Bison 4-0 in the fourth quarter for the two-goal victory.
Goalie Rena Heim (Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin) made 10 saves in the contest and the Bucknell defense limited UC San Diego to three goals in 10 six-on-five chances. Additionally, Kennan posted a team-high four steals.
The Bison bounced back from the loss and had a strong first quarter against Cal State Northridge as they trailed by just one goal (4-3) after the first period, but the Matadors outscored Bucknell 5-1 in the second quarter and cruised from there.
Bucknell's 12 goals against Cal State Northridge marked its second-highest scoring output on the trip to California. The Bison lost to the Matadors by a 14-4 margin earlier in the trip.
Seven of Bucknell's 12 games over the last week have been against nationally ranked opponents, including all four at this weekend's Aztec Invitational. The Bison have played 10 nationally ranked foes this season.
Bucknell will return home Monday morning and will next be in action Saturday, March 24, when it travels to Western Pennsylvania to face league foe Mercyhurst and Grove City.
Game 1
BUCKNELL 1 3 4 0 -8
UC SAN DIEGO 1 1 4 4 -10
Goals: Barnett (3), Valdes (2), Kennan (2), Peterson.
Assists: Murao (3), Valdes, Ferry, Peterson.
Field Blocks: Kennan (3).
Ejections Drawn: Barnett (3), Morgan (2), Murao, Kennan.
Saves: Heim (10 svs., 10 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Kennan (4), Valdes, Barnett, Heim.
Sprints: Valdes (3-4).
Bucknell Record: 10-17.
Game 2
BUCKNELL 3 1 3 5 -12
CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 4 5 3 5 -17
Goals: Barnett (3), Kennan (2), Valdes, Morris, Shopiro, Peterson, Morgan, Frankeny, Frank.
Assists: Ferry (3), Valdes, Bozorghadad, Peterson, Kennan.
Field Blocks: none.
Ejections Drawn: Murao (3), Shopiro (2), Frankeny.
Saves: Heim (7 svs., 12 ga., 27:00 min.), Connell (2 svs., 5 ga., 5:00 min.).
Steals: Heim (2), Peterson.
Sprints: Valdes (2-2), Ovalle (0-2).
Bucknell Record: 10-18.
