Bucknell University Athletics
Men's Water Polo Hosts No. 19 Navy Saturday Evening
10/2/2014 3:19:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell men's water polo team will start its October schedule at home against No. 19 Navy on Saturday (7 p.m.). Having lost 8-4 earlier in the season versus Navy without offensive centerpiece Stefan Aleksic, the Bison are looking to turn the tables on the Midshipmen this time around.
Bucknell (5-6 overall, 3-3 CWPA Southern Division) is returning home to Kinney Natatorium after facing four ranked opponents in its last five games. The Bison split their two matches last weekend, with an 11-10 home triumph over No. 20 George Washington and a 9-6 road defeat against No. 12 Princeton.
Aleksic tied a season high with four goals in the win against George Washington, while the junior's six total points did set a new season high. The offense flowed through him and Grant Curry's three goals, as the Bison were able to defeat George Washington for the second time in eight days to complete the season sweep.
The offense did not have as much luck the next day versus Princeton, but the defense stepped up. Despite the 9-6 loss, the nine goals scored by Princeton was a season low for the Tigers. Keegan Williams tied a career-high with 15 saves on the day, while his 25 total saves on the weekend put him over 100 for the season.
Curry contributed three more goals in the match against Princeton, while R.J. Moore netted two himself. Jeff Hagen's three goals between the two games increased his season total to 18, while Aleksic's two assists on Sunday upped his career total to 99. Aleksic and Curry are tied for the squad lead with 25 goals each this season.
Navy enters this weekend with a 10-7 record after starting the season with eight consecutive wins. However, all seven losses came against ranked opponents, while the last five defeats have been dealt by teams ranked in the top-10. Although the Mids limited the Bison offense to its lowest scoring output of four goals earlier in the year, Aleksic will certainly be a deciding factor in this match after his two-game absence back in September.
Head coach John McBride on Saturday will tie his predecessor John Abdou (2008-2010) for fifth-most games coached at Bucknell (93). McBride passed Abdou earlier in the season for wins as a coach, and his 51 wins at Bucknell rank fifth in program history.
The Bison will take a short break following the Navy match until Mercyhurst visits Kinney Natatorium for the second time this season on Oct. 19 (1 p.m.). Bucknell defeated Mercyhurst 12-5 back on Sept. 14.
Bucknell All-Time vs. Weekend Opponents
Bucknell vs. Navy: 19-81 (Bucknell has won last two home matches against Navy (11-10 in 2013, 13-11 in 2012)
