Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
George Washington
Barnett Ties Single-Game Goals Record in Bucknell Women's Water Polo's 14-12 Win Over George Washington
4/7/2012 8:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
April 7, 2012
COLLEGE PARK, Md. –Freshman Taylor Barnett (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) equaled the program record for goals in a game with seven and Julianne Valdes (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) dished out a record-tying six assists to help the Bucknell women's water polo team to a 14-12 victory over George Washington Saturday afternoon at Maryland's Eppley Recreation Center. Barnett also tied for the team high with two goals earlier in the day in a closer-than-the-score indicated 12-7 loss to No. 13 Michigan.
Barnett, who leads the Bison with 56 goals this season, also drew a career-high seven ejections against George Washington, the most by a Bucknell player this year. She now has 70 ejections drawn this year, moving her into fifth place on the program's single-season list. Meg Blitzer (2004 vs. Villanova) and Valentina Rozas (2009 vs. Occidental) are the only other players in school history to net seven goals in a game.
Valdes' six assists against the Colonials tied her with Kandis Canonica (three times) and Rozas (one time) atop the single-game assist list.
Bucknell's two games Saturday marked the end of the regular season for the Bison, who are now 13-19 and will host the Southern Championships next weekend.
Bucknell defeated George Washington for a third time this year, although Saturday's contest was closer than the previous two, which the Bison won by a combined 17 goals. Despite winning by just the two-goal margin, Bucknell led wire-to-wire as they were up 4-3 at the end of the first quarter, 7-5 at halftime and 11-8 through three periods.
Barbara Peterson (Palo Alto, Calif./Castilleja) and Hallie Kennan (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) posted two goals apiece against the Colonials to help Barnett shoulder the scoring load, while Tara Murao (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) dished out four assists.
The Bison were a solid 8-for-13 in six-on-five situations against George Washington after converting just 3 of 10 earlier in the day against the Wolverines.
Rena Heim (Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin) had a solid day in goal for Bucknell. She had six saves against the Colonials after posting 12 in the opener against Michigan. In fact, her play against the Wolverines helped keep the score relatively close.
Peterson, Barnett and Valdes each scored two goals against Michigan, but the Wolverines jumped out to a 7-2 halftime edge which the Bison could not overcome.
Bucknell limited the Wolverines to just three six-on-five opportunities, but Michigan converted two five-meter penalty shots.
The Bison will host the Southern Championships April 14-15 at Kinney Natatorium. They will open competition against George Washington at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Fans will have the opportunity to watch live video of the entire Southern Championships.
Game 1
BUCKNELL 1 1 3 2 -7
MICHIGAN 3 4 4 1 -12
Goals: Valdes (2), Barnett (2), Peterson (2), Smith.
Assists: Ferry (2), Murao, Frankeny.
Field Blocks: Ferry, Bozorghadad.
Ejections Drawn: Barnett (2), Murao (2), Frankeny (2), Valdes, Smith, Shopiro, Peterson.
Saves: Heim (12 svs., 12 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Valdes (4), Barnett, Heim.
Sprints: Valdes (2-2), Ovalle (0-2).
Bucknell Record: 12-19.
Game 2
BUCKNELL 4 3 4 3 -14
GEO. WASH. 3 2 3 4 -12
Goals: Barnett (7), Peterson (2), Kennan (2), Smith, Shopiro, Frankeny.
Assists: Valdes (6), Murao (4), Shopiro, Peterson, Kennan.
Field Blocks: Valdes, Smith, Shopiro, Kennan.
Ejections Drawn: Barnett (7), Murao (3), Peterson, Frankeny.
Saves: Heim (6 svs., 12 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Valdes, Ferry, Shopiro, Murao.
Sprints: Valdes (4-4).
Bucknell Record: 13-19.
