Bucknell University
Washington & Jefferson
Men's Water Polo Opens Home Invitational with Two Wins
9/13/2014 8:21:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Stefan Aleksic totaled seven goals and two assists to lead the Bucknell men's water polo team to a pair of victories Saturday on the opening day of the Bison Invitational at Kinney Natatorium. The junior also scored the day's most important goal as his tally with 24.93 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter staked Bucknell to a late one-goal lead in an eventual 9-7 win over league opponent Johns Hopkins to complete the 2-0 day. The Bison opened the afternoon with a 13-7 victory over Washington & Jefferson.
Bucknell (2-2, 1-0 CWPA), which is now 61-29 all-time at Kinney Natatorium, played a tight contest in the nightcap with the Blue Jays, who fell to 2-3 on the year. The final two-goal margin equaled the largest lead of the game for the Bison, who never trailed.
In addition to scoring the go-ahead goal against Johns Hopkins, Aleksic made a steal on the final defensive stand, clinching the outcome. Aleksic finished the game with a season high-tying four goals and one assist. He now leads the team with 14 goals on the year.
There was a spirited crowd in attendance for the evening contest against the Blue Jays and the stands erupted when Aleksic scored and once again when he gained possession of the ball on defense.
Jeff Hagen and Nick Hale added two goals apiece against Johns Hopkins, while Keegan Williams posted 13 saves in goal, following his 14-stop performance in the opener against Washington & Jefferson.
The Bison started off slowly against the Presidents as they trailed 2-1 at the end of the first quarter. However, Bucknell responded with nine unanswered goals to take a commanding 10-2 advantage on its way to the six-goal victory.
Freshman Grant Curry led the way on offense for the Bison with four goals, while Aleksic chipped in three goals and an assist. Nick Hale posted five points on two goals and three assists.
Bucknell will have two more games Sunday to conclude the Bison Invitational. It will face Mercyhurst at 9:20 a.m. and Fordham at 2:40 p.m. Both games will air live on Bison Vision on the Patriot League Network.
Game 1
W&J 2 0 3 2 -7
BUCKNELL 1 5 4 3 -13
Goals: Curry (4), Aleksic (3), Hale (2), Moore (2), Hagen, Hunter.
Assists: Hale (3), Daley (2), Moore, Aleksic.
Saves: Williams (14 svs., 7 ga., 32:00 min.).
Sprints: Daley (1-1), Curry (0-2), Bresnahan (0-1).
Bucknell Record: 1-2.
Game 2
JOHNS HOPKINS 1 3 1 2 -7
BUCKNELL 2 3 1 3 -9
Goals: Aleksic (4), Hale (2), Hagen (2), Moore.
Assists: Daley (2), Aleksic, Curry.
Saves: Williams (13 svs., 7 ga., 32:00 min.).
Sprints: Daley (2-2), Curry (1-1), Babic (0-1).
Bucknell Record: 2-2, 1-0 CWPA Southern Division.
