Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Mercyhurst
Strong Defense, Balanced Scoring Lead Bucknell Women's Water Polo to 14-5 Win Over Mercyhurst on Opening Night
2/15/2013 7:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Feb. 15, 2013
| BUY PHOTOSLEWISBURG, Pa. -Freshman Hannah Sunday scored five goals in her first career game while veterans Krystle Morgan and Julianne Valdes added three apiece as the Bucknell women's water polo opened its 2013 season with a 14-5 win over Mercyhurst Friday evening at Kinney Natatorium to kick off the three-day Bison Invitational. The Bison jumped out to a 7-1 halftime lead and the Lakers never drew closer than six goals in the second half.
Bucknell, which had its season opener delayed a week due to last week's winter storm wiping out its games at the Brown Invitational, had to wait even longer as Friday's contest started about 30 minutes late due to some travel difficulties by an official. After a brief ceremony honoring Bison seniors Morgan and Tara Murao, Bucknell wasted no time building a large lead. Julianne Valdes scored on a five-meter penalty shot 40 seconds into the game and the Bison led 4-0 just seconds into the second quarter.
Morgan was dominant early as she scored three of Bucknell's first five goals with each score coming just feet from the cage. The three goals equaled a career high.
Valdes attempted just three shots in the game, but all three were on penalty shots, and all three found the back of the net. The first two settled into the left corner behind Mercyhurst goalie Hannah Metzger, while she went to the right side on the third one.
Sunday netted the final two goals of the first half to equal Morgan for team-high honors with three at intermission. She added two more in the second half to become the team's leading scorer despite coming off the bench.
"It was good to get a win on Senior Night," commented Bucknell head coach John McBride, who substituted liberally throughout the contest. "We were a little sloppy and we have a lot to work on, but I was pleased with the overall performance. We have been practicing for a long time and it was good to get through the anxiety."
The Bison defense was strong all night as the majority of Mercyhurst's (2-1) 35 shots came from the perimeter. When an attempt was on goal, Rena Heim was there to turn it away as she posted 11 saves in the contest.
Seventeen total Bucknell players saw action in the contest. Eleven different players registered at least one point. Mackenzie Ferry led the way with three assists, all in the first half.
Bucknell's win marked the third time in the last four years it has won its first game.
Since the beginning of 2012 Bucknell and Mercyhurst have faced each three times and the Bison have outscored the Lakers 37-15. Bucknell is 6-1 all-time against Mercyhurst.
Friday's game opened up the Bison Invitational. A total of 19 more games will take place in Kinney Natatorium on Saturday and Sunday. Bucknell will play George Washington (11:30 a.m.) and Brown (5:20 p.m.) on Saturday and Villanova (10:20 a.m.) and Marist (4:10 p.m.) on Sunday.
MERCYHURST 0 1 3 1 -5
BUCKNELL 3 4 4 3 -14
Goals: Sunday (5), Morgan (3), Valdes (3), Murao, McCarthy, Deana.
Assists: Ferry (3), Murao (2), Smith, Nowlin, Barnett, Peterson, Morgan.
Field Blocks: Barnett (2), Peterson (2).
Ejections Drawn: Morgan (4), Barnett, Murao, Sunday.
Saves: Heim (11 svs., 5 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Peterson (2), Morgan.
Sprints: Ovalle (2-2), Valdes (1-1), DeRuff (0-1).
Bucknell Record: 1-0.
