Bucknell University Athletics
Hale and Hagen Earn Weekly Awards from CWPA
10/9/2014 5:41:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell men's water polo's big victory over then-No. 19 Navy on Saturday evening lifted the Bison into the national rankings at No. 19 earlier this week, and on Thursday junior Nick Hale (Menlo Park, Calif./Menlo School) and freshman Jeff Hagen (West Chester, Pa./Malvern Prep) earned weekly awards from the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA). Hale was named the CWPA Player of the Week for the first time in his career, while Hagen earned his first Rookie of the Week citation.
Hale was one of three Bison to net three goals in the 12-8 victory over the Mids, Bucknell's largest margin of victory over Navy in more than 30 years. The three goals equaled Hale's career high and two of them came in the fourth quarter after the Mids had cut the Bison advantage to 8-7. Hale's first goal staked Bucknell to a 5-1 second-quarter lead.
A team co-captain, Hale ranks fourth on the team with 12 goals this year, while his 11 sprints won are second. He has already dished out 16 assists and against Navy crossed the 100-point plateau for his career.
Hagen became the second straight Bison to earn Rookie of the Week honors from the CWPA, following Grant Curry. Against the Mids, Hagen posted a season-high three goals and drew four ejections.
Hagen is second on the team in 2014 with 21 ejections drawn and his 21 goals rank third on the squad.
Bucknell is 6-6 on the year and 4-3 in CWPA Southern Division play. The Bison are idle this weekend, but will return to the pool next Sunday, Oct. 19, when they host Mercyhurst in a non-conference game at 1 p.m.
