Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
George Washington
Men's Water Polo Defeats George Washington, Falls to No. 11 Princeton
10/10/2015 8:50:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Stefan Aleksic and Sean Daley scored four goals apiece and the No. 13 Bucknell men's water polo team exploded for 12 second-half goals to defeat George Washington 17-10 Saturday afternoon at Kinney Natatorium. It was the first of two games on the day for the Bison, who lost to No. 11 Princeton by a 6-4 margin later in the evening.
Bucknell (9-4, 2-2 CWPA) is hosting four league games this weekend and will face Johns Hopkins (11 a.m.) and Navy (4 p.m.) on Sunday with both contests airing on the Patriot League Network.
The Bison trailed the Colonials (3-15, 0-5 CWPA) 6-5 at halftime, but scored seven goals in the third quarter and five more in the fourth for the seven-goal victory. Bucknell scored the final four goals of the game and the seven-goal final margin was the largest of the contest.
Aleksic and Daley, who also had three assists, combined for eight of Bucknell's goals, but R.J. Moore, Jeff Hagen, Ratimir Babic and Tommy Stupp also had strong offensive outings with two goals apiece.
The Bison defense was strong with a season-high 21 steals, including seven by Aleksic. Hagen added four, while Stupp and Daley posted three apiece. Charlie Niehaus had five saves in cage and held George Washington to just three goals over the final 15 minutes of play.
The nightcap was the lowest scoring game involving Bucknell this season as the two teams combined for just 10 goals. It was the fifth nationally ranked opponent for the Bison, who are at their highest point in the rankings all season, and Bucknell is now 2-3 in those games.
The Bison and Tigers alternated goals all night until Princeton (10-3, 4-1 CWPA) scored three in a row in a span of just over three minutes at the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth. The Tigers had a late 6-3 advantage until Daley stole the ball and scored at the buzzer to cut the final margin to just two goals.
Babic had a team-high two goals for Bucknell against Princeton, while Aleksic and Daley had one apiece. Niehaus had six saves in goal to push his season total to 93.
Game 1
GEO. WASH. 2 4 2 2 -10
BUCKNELL 1 4 7 5 -17
Goals: Aleksic (4), Daley (4), Moore (2), Hagen (2), Babic (2), Stupp (2), Djordjevic.
Assists: Daley (3), Babic (3), Stupp (2), Bolanca, Djordjevic, Niehaus.
Ejections Drawn: Hagen (3), Bolanca, Moore, Thayer.
Steals: Aleksic (7), Hagen (4), Daley (3), Stupp (3), Moore, Wilder, Djordjevic, Babic.
Saves: Niehaus (5 svs., 10 ga., 32:00 min.).
Sprints: Stupp (1-2), Daley (1-2).
Bucknell Record: 9-3, 2-1 CWPA.
Game 2
PRINCETON 1 1 3 1 -6
BUCKNELL 0 2 1 1 -4
Goals: Babic (2), Daley, Aleksic.
Assists: Bolanca, Daley.
Ejections Drawn: Hagen (3), Aleksic (2), Daley, Stupp.
Steals: Aleksic (4), Moore (3), Daley (3), Niehaus (3), Bolanca.
Saves: Niehaus (6 svs., 6 ga., 32:00 min.).
Sprints: Stupp (1-2), Daley (1-2).
Bucknell Record: 9-4, 2-2 CWPA.
