Bucknell University
Harvard
Women's Water Polo Comes from Behind to Sink Harvard, Bison to Play GW at 5:30
4/5/2014 12:11:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell women's water polo team overcame a two-goal deficit with eight minutes to play on Saturday morning, battling back with a three-goal fourth quarter to take a 7-6 win over Harvard at Kinney Natatorium. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Crimson, giving the Bison their first win over them since 2010. Senior Julianne Valdes led the squad with two goals and three assists, while sophomore Hannah Sunday drew a career-high eight ejections. The victory lifts Bucknell to 9-10 overall and 2-1 in the CWPA Southern Division, while Harvard drops to 12-15 overall and 1-2 in conference play with the defeat.
Five different Bison scored in Saturday's first game, with Valdes and Sunday each connecting twice, and all seven of Bucknell's goals were scored on a 6-5 opportunity. Seniors Stephanie Ovalle, Mackenzie Ferry and Samantha Deana all added one goal to the team's total. Sophomore Eleanor Marrs had a team-high three steals, while senior Rena Heim made an impressive 11 saves in her 32 minutes in the cage.
The Bison took a 3-2 lead after the first quarter, with Valdes, Deana and Sunday all finding the back of the net, but a defensive battle ensued in the next eight minutes, resulting in a scoreless second. Harvard rallied in the third stanza however, scoring four goals, including one on a penalty shot, to Bucknell's lone tally, giving the Crimson a 6-4 edge heading into the fourth quarter.
The last eight minutes of the contest belonged to Bucknell however, as the home team battled back, holding the visitors scoreless and tallying three goals of its own to take the 7-6 win at the buzzer. An unassisted goal by Valdes brought the Bison within one with 5:59 to play, and the senior assisted on the tying goal, feeding Ferry in a set-up around the cage to knot the score at 6-6 with just under three minutes on the clock. Bucknell forced a turnover on Harvard to retain possession, and Sunday drew her eighth ejection of the day with 1:20 remaining, providing the Bison with another extra-player opportunity. The sophomore capitalized just 16 seconds later, tapping in a shot by Ferry to give her squad a one-goal advantage that it would hold onto for the remainder of the contest.
Bucknell will return to the pool at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday to square off against George Washington in its second contest of the day. All five of the team's seniors will be honored prior to the start of the game.
Game 1
BUCKNELL 3 0 1 3 -7
HARVARD 2 0 4 0 -6
Goals: Valdes (2), Sunday (2), Ovalle, Ferry, Deana.
Assists: Valdes (3), Ovalle, Ferry, Sunday.
Field Blocks: Valdes.
Ejections Drawn: Sunday (8), Ovalle, Valdes, Bozorghadad.
Saves: Heim (11 svs., 6 ga., 32:00 min).
Steals: Marrs (3), Valdes (2), Ferry (2), Ovalle, Heim.
Sprints: Deana (2-2), Marrs (1-2).
Bucknell Record: 9-10, 2-1 CWPA Southern Division.
