Men's Water Polo Opens California Trip with 15-8 Loss to No. 4 Pacific

STOCKTON, Calif. – Bucknell freshman Marko Djordjevic scored a career-high four goals, but the No. 14 Bison men's water polo team opened its five-game California trip with a 15-8 loss at No. 4 Pacific on Friday. Bucknell (11-6) outscored the Tigers 2-0 over the final 10 minutes of play in a game that featured just four total six-on-five opportunities.

Stefan Aleksic tallied two goals and three assists for Bucknell, but Pacific (18-2) won its sixth in a row behind the strength of 11 different goal scorers. Devon Thumwood led the way with three goals.

Charlie Niehaus posted 13 saves in goal for the Bison, his second-highest total of the year.

Pacific, which led 7-2 at the conclusion of the first quarter, was the sixth ranked opponent for Bucknell this year and the Bison are 2-4 in those contests. The Bison will play two more ranked foes (No. 10 UC Davis, No. 16 Santa Clara) this weekend at the Santa Clara Rodeo.

BUCKNELL 2 2 2 2 -8
PACIFIC 7 4 4 0 -15

Goals: Djordjevic (4), Aleksic (2), Babic, Moore.
Assists: Aleksic (3), Bolanca, Babic, Stupp.
Ejections Drawn: Djordjevic.
Steals: Aleksic (3), Niehaus (3), Moore (2), Hagen, Babic.
Saves: Niehaus (13 svs., 15 ga., 32:00 min.).
Sprints: Daley (1-1), Stupp (1-2), Djordjevic (0-1).
Bucknell Record: 11-6.