Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
#10 Michigan
Bucknell Women's Water Polo Keeps Score Close vs. No. 10 Michigan, but Falls 12-8 at Eastern Championship
4/27/2012 8:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
April 27, 2012
PROVIDENCE, R.I. –Krystle Morgan (Rowland Heights, Calif./Rowland) scored a team-high three goals, Amanda Skonezney (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) added two and the Bucknell women's water polo team kept the score close, but could not pull off the upset of No. 10 Michigan Friday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the Eastern Championship. The top-seeded Wolverines posted a 12-8 victory, although the Bison trailed just 9-7 early in the fourth quarter.
Eighth-seeded Bucknell (15-22) was playing its second game of the day after defeating ninth-seeded George Washington by two goals earlier in the morning. Michigan (22-11) was one of four teams to earn first-round byes to the quarterfinals.
The Wolverines outscored the Bison by one goal in every quarter. They posted three straight goals to extend their 9-7 advantage to a 12-7 cushion. Bucknell had tallied two consecutive goals to cut a 9-5 deficit to 9-7.
Julianne Valdes (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep), Becca Shopiro (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Adlai E. Stevenson) and Taylor Barnett (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) tallied one goal apiece to round out the goal scorers for the Bison. Valdes added a pair of assists to equal Morgan for team-high honors with three points.
Bucknell's defense was keyed by eight saves from goalie Rena Heim (Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin), who reached the 400 plateau for her career. She also registered a team-high three steals.
The Bison converted just 3 of 9 six-on-five opportunities after going 4-for-8 earlier in the day against the Colonials. Michigan was 3-for-7 in six-on-five chances.
Bucknell has now played 37 games this season, a new program record, surpassing the 36 games played in 2008.
Bucknell can still finish as high as fifth at the Eastern Championship. The Bison will play the loser of Friday evening's Maryland-Hartwick contest Saturday at 12:40 p.m. Maryland is the fourth seed in the 12-team field, while Hartwick is the No. 5 seed. Both teams are nationally ranked.
BUCKNELL 1 2 2 3 -8
MICHIGAN 2 3 3 4 -12
Goals: Morgan (3), Skonezney (2), Valdes, Shopiro, Barnett.
Assists: Valdes (2), Ferry, Barnett, Murao, Kennan.
Field Blocks: Valdes, Peterson.
Ejections Drawn: Valdes (3), Smith (2), Barnett (2), Morgan (2), Murao.
Saves: Heim (8 svs., 12 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Heim (3), Skonezney (2), Kennan (2), Smith, Ferry, Murao, Frankeny.
Sprints: Valdes (2-4).
Bucknell Record: 15-22.
