Bucknell University
#20 St. Francis (N.Y.)
Bucknell Men's Water Polo Drops Close Decision to St. Francis (N.Y.), 8-7
9/7/2012 8:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
PRINCETON, N.J. –The Bucknell men's water polo team took a 4-3 lead into halftime during Friday night's opening game at the Princeton Invitational against No. 20 St. Francis (N.Y.), but the Terriers outscored the Bison 5-3 in the second half as Bucknell fell by an 8-7 margin. Julian Colina and Mike Kimble led the Bison offense with two goals apiece.
Bucknell, which snapped a 22-game losing streak against St. Francis last September, nearly made it two wins in a row over the Terriers, but could not prevail despite having chances to at least tie the score in the closing quarter.
Freshman Stefan Aleksic, the reigning CWPA Southern Division Rookie of the Week, posted a team-high three points (1g, 2a) for the Bison, who fell to 2-1 on the young season as they faced their first ranked foe.
Senior co-captain Matt Napleton posted a season-high nine saves in cage as he boosted his career figure to 351 stops.
The Bison will be back in action Saturday at the Princeton Invitational against two more ranked opponents. They will open the day against No. 3 Cal at 12:30 p.m. before wrapping up play at 5:30 p.m. against No. 18 Brown. Cal was 2-0 on Friday, defeating St. Francis, 16-3, and Princeton, 16-4. Brown was 1-0 on Friday thanks to a 21-4 win over Cal Lutheran.
ST. FRANCIS 3 0 3 2 -8
BUCKNELL 1 3 2 1 -7
Goals: Colina (2), Kimble (2), Else, Aleksic, Nowlin.
Assists: Aleksic (2), Nowlin, Somers.
Field Blocks: none.
Ejections Drawn: Else (2), Aleksic.
Saves: Napleton (9 svs., 8 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Colina (2), Somers, Roberts.
Sprints: Barron (4-4).
Bucknell Record: 2-1.
