Bucknell University
Gannon
Men's Water Polo Off to 3-0 Start After Wins Over Gannon and Iona
9/8/2013 5:25:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Bucknell men's water polo team is off to its third 3-0 start in three years under head coach John McBride. The Bison defeated Gannon 17-8 and Iona 12-7 Sunday to wrap up their opening weekend of the 2013 season at the Navy Invite.
Freshman RJ Moore was the standout performer in the opener against the Golden Knights as he tallied six goals and dished out an assist. He was one of five Bison with a multi-goal outing as fellow rookie Ratimir Babic and senior Julian Colina posted three goals apiece and veterans Jack Else and Alex Nowlin each had two goals.
Bucknell turned an 8-4 halftime advantage into a comfy 14-6 lead after outscoring Gannon 6-2 in the third quarter.
In the nightcap against Iona, the Bison led just 6-4 at the half, but again had a solid third quarter with a 3-1 edge in goals in the stanza. Nowlin and Mike Kimble posted three goals apiece to lead the offensive attack, while goalie Keegan Williams and Nick Hale each collected three steals. Hale finished the day with a two-game stat total of one goal, five assists, four steals and one field block.
After recording seven saves in the opener, Williams posted a career-high 15 saves opposite Iona. It was his second career double-figure save outing in just his fourth career start.
Bucknell will spend next weekend hosting the Bison Invite in Kinney Natatorium. The Bison will play five games beginning Friday, and a total of 16 contests will be played in a span of less than 48 hours. Admission is free.
Game 1
GANNON 5 3 6 3 -17
BUCKNELL 3 1 2 2 -8
Goals: Moore (6), Colina (3), Babic (3), Else (2), Nowlin (2), Kimble.
Assists: Hale (4), Aleksic (2), Moore, Babic.
Field Blocks: Somers (2), Daley (2), Else, Kimble.
Ejections Drawn: Else (4), Aleksic, Colina, Kimble.
Saves: Williams (7 svs., 8 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Aleksic, Hale, Nowlin, Colina, Babic, Williams.
Sprints: Moore (0-1), Daley (2-2).
Bucknell Record: 2-0.
Game 2
IONA 1 3 1 2 -7
BUCKNELL 4 2 3 3 -12
Goals: Nowlin (3), Kimble (3), Else (2), Colina (2), Hale, Moore.
Assists: Hale, Nowlin, Norton, Colina.
Field Blocks: Aleksic, Hale.
Ejections Drawn: Else (3), Aleksic, Kimble.
Saves: Williams (15 svs., 7 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Hale (3), Williams (3), Nowlin (2), Else, Aleksic, Kimble.
Sprints: Moore (0-2), Hale (0-2).
Bucknell Record: 3-0.
