Bucknell University
Johns Hopkins
Strong Defensive Performance Helps Men's Water Polo to 9-4 Win Over Johns Hopkins
10/11/2015 12:51:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Charlie Niehaus made 11 saves, Bucknell totaled 14 steals and the Bison broke open a close game with four goals in the third quarter to defeat Johns Hopkins 9-4 in men's water polo action Sunday at Kinney Natatorium. The Bison improved to 2-1 this weekend and 10-4 overall (3-2 in CWPA Southern Division play).
Bucknell, which is ranked 13th nationally, will wrap up its four-game home weekend with a 4 p.m. contest against Navy that will air on the Patriot League Network.
The Bison lost by one goal at Johns Hopkins (12-6, 3-2 CWPA) two weeks ago and exacted revenge on the Blue Jays on Sunday. Thanks to strong defensive play, Bucknell has now allowed just 10 goals in its last two games after a 6-4 loss to No. 11 Princeton on Saturday evening.
Niehaus, who crossed the 100-save mark for the season, posted his sixth double-figure save performance of the season.
Stefan Aleksic led the way on the offensive end for Bucknell with three goals, including a pair of five-meter penalty shots. Nate Hunter and Jeff Hagen added two goals apiece, while Sean Daley had a strong all-around performance with three assists, three steals and four ejections drawn.
The Bison jumped out to an early 3-0 lead before Johns Hopkins finally scored on a six-on-five goal with 2:50 to play in the second quarter. A goal by Ratimir Babic with just over 30 seconds left in the same period gave Bucknell a 4-2 halftime edge.
Hagen, Aleksic and Borna Bolanca scored consecutive goals midway through the third period for the Bison to stake them to a 7-2 lead. The Blue Jays did not draw closer than four goals the rest of the way. Bucknell's largest lead of the game was six goals (9-3).
JOHNS HOPKINS 0 2 1 1 -4
BUCKNELL 2 2 4 1 -9
Goals: Aleksic (3), Hunter (2), Hagen (2), Bolanca, Babic.
Assists: Daley (3), Hunter, Aleksic, Moore, Babic.
Ejections Drawn: Hunter (6), Daley (4), Bolanca, Hagen.
Steals: Daley (3), Niehaus (3), Moore (2), Babic (2), Bolanca, Hunter, Djordjevic, Stupp.
Saves: Niehaus (11 svs., 4 ga., 32:00 min.).
Sprints: Daley (2-2), Thayer (1-1), Stupp (1-1).
Bucknell Record: 10-4, 3-2 CWPA.
