Bucknell University
Santa Clara
Men's Water Polo Opens California Trip with 9-8 Win at No. 15 Santa Clara
10/24/2014 9:33:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Stefan Aleksic scored four goals and dished out two assists and Bucknell scored all nine of its goals in the middle two quarters as the Bison men's water polo team opened its five-game California trip with a 9-8 victory over host Santa Clara Friday evening at Sullivan Aquatic Center. The Broncos are ranked 15th in the nation.
Bucknell (8-6), which extended its winning streak to a season-high-tying three, will be playing five games at this weekend's Santa Clara Rodeo, including the first four against nationally ranked opponents.
The Bison trailed 1-0 at the end of the first quarter, but exploded for five goals by four different players in the second period to build a 5-2 lead. The advantage remained two goals at halftime.
Thanks to four more goals in the third quarter, Bucknell extended its lead to as many as four on two occasions, including 9-5 on a Grant Curry goal with just over two minutes to play in the stanza.
The Broncos chipped away at the Bison lead, scoring with 1:36 left in the third period and less than 30 seconds into the final quarter. However, Bucknell's defense was strong the remainder of the way as Santa Clara didn't score again until 13 seconds showed on the clock and by then the outcome had virtually been decided.
Curry registered two goals, while Nick Hale had three assists and won two sprints. Keegan Williams posted eight saves in cage after missing last Sunday's win over Mercyhurst due to sickness.
Seven different players scored Santa Clara's (9-8) eight goals with Matt Godar pacing the offense with two scores.
The Bison, who now have four wins against nationally ranked foes this year, will face No. 13 Air Force and No. 19 Cal Baptist on Saturday at the Santa Clara Rodeo.
BUCKNELL 0 5 4 0 -9
SANTA CLARA 1 2 3 2 -8
Goals: Aleksic (4), Curry (2), Moore, Daley, Babic.
Assists: Hale (3), Aleksic (2), Babic.
Saves: Williams (8 svs., 8 ga., 32:00 min.).
Sprints: Hale (2-4).
Bucknell Record: 8-6.
