Bucknell University
Cal Baptist
Men's Water Polo Splits Two Games on Opening Day of Santa Clara Rodeo
10/24/2015 6:57:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Stefan Aleksic and Marko Djordjevic had three goals apiece to lead the 14th-ranked Bucknell men's water polo team to an 11-3 victory over Cal Baptist in its first game at the Santa Clara Rodeo on Saturday. The Bison got back in the pool a few hours later and took on No. 10 UC Davis and fell by a 12-4 score.
Bucknell (12-7) used a strong second half to defeat Cal Baptist (13-10). The Bison led 4-3 at the half, but outscored the Lancers 7-0 in the final two quarters. Centers Nate Hunter and Jeff Hagen added two goals apiece, while Tommy Stupp recorded one goal and two assists to round out the Bucknell offense.
Charlie Niehaus posted 13 saves in goal for the second straight game as the Bison won their first game on this year's California trip.
Highlighting Bucknell's defense against Cal Baptist was a season-high 24 steals, including seven by Sean Daley and six by Aleksic.
In the nightcap, the Bison trailed 6-1 UC Davis (14-6) at halftime and could not cut into the deficit in the second half. Bucknell had four different goal scorers with Hunter, Aleksic, Hagen and Jordan White each finding the back of the net once. Daley dished out two assists.
Aleksic's goal was the 189th of his career, moving him into sole possession of 10th place on the program's all-time list, one ahead of Jack Else. Aleksic also ranks eighth on the all-time assists list with 147.
Bucknell will wrap up play at the two-day Santa Clara Rodeo on Sunday with matchups against the host and nationally ranked Broncos at 3 pm. and Fresno Pacific at 7 p.m.
Game 1
BUCKNELL 2 2 4 3 -11
CAL BAPTIST 2 1 0 0 -3
Goals: Aleksic (3), Djordjevic (3), Hunter (2), Hagen (2), Stupp.
Assists: Daley (3), Stupp (2), Aleksic, Bolanca, Babic.
Ejections Drawn: Daley (3), Hagen (3), Hunter (2), Djordjevic.
Steals: Daley (7), Aleksic (6), Bolanca (2), Babic (2), Stupp (2), Niehaus (2), Moore, Wilder, Djordjevic.
Saves: Niehaus (13 svs., 3 ga., 32:00 min.).
Sprints: Stupp (1-1), Bolanca (1-1), Daley (1-2).
Bucknell Record: 12-6.
Game 2
BUCKNELL 0 1 1 2 -4
UC DAVIS 4 2 4 2 -12
Goals: Hunter, Aleksic, Hagen, White.
Assists: Daley (2), Aleksic, Thayer.
Ejections Drawn: Aleksic (3), Hagen (3), Hunter (2), Moore, Djordjevic, Babic, Farmer.
Steals: Moore (3, Bolanca (2), Aleksic, Wilder, Djordjevic, Niehaus.
Saves: Niehaus (8 svs., 12 ga., 32:00 min.).
Sprints: Stupp (0-2), Daley (0-1), Thayer (0-1).
Bucknell Record: 12-7.
