Bucknell University
Johns Hopkins
Men's Water Polo Falls to Johns Hopkins in Semifinals of Southern Championships
11/7/2015 6:43:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell jumped out to a 3-2 lead after one quarter, but went scoreless in the second and third in an 8-4 loss to Johns Hopkins in the semifinals of the Southern Championships on Saturday at Kinney Natatorium.
Bucknell (16-10) had already clinched a spot in the CWPA Championship, which will be held in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Nov. 20-22, by finishing 2-0 in pool play. The Bison will play Navy in the third-place game on Sunday at 1 p.m. They are looking to finish in the top three for the sixth consecutive season. The game will be shown on the Patriot League Network.
The Bucknell offense looked solid in the opening minutes against Johns Hopkins, scoring twice in the first 1:27 of play. Stefan Aleksic gave the Bison a 1-0 lead on a penalty shot 26 seconds into the game, and Nate Hunter made it 2-0 with a goal on an assist from Marko Djordjevic one minute later.
Johns Hopkins took advantage of a man-up opportunity to cut the lead in half with 2:31 remaining in the second quarter, but Bucknell responded with a second goal from Hunter. Tommy Stupp set up the score with a long pass from the Bison's defensive end.
The Blue Jays scored the next six goals, including one near the end of the first quarter, three in the second quarter and two more in the third. The Bison cut the deficit to 7-4 with a score by R.J. Moore with 4:33 left in the game, but Johns Hopkins quickly responded.
John Wilson was impressive in goal for Johns Hopkins, stopping 12 of the 16 shots that came his way, including one of two penalty shots. Charlie Niehaus made five saves for Bucknell.
Goals: Hunter (2), Aleksic, Moore.
Assists: Bolanca, Wilder.
Ejections Drawn: Hagen (3), Daley (2), Hunter, Bolanca, Stupp.
Steals: Aleksic (5), Stupp (3), Hunter (2), Moore, Djordjevic, Hagen, Babic.
Saves: Niehaus (5 svs., 8 ga., 32:00 min.).
Sprints: Stupp (2-2), Daley (0-2)
Bucknell Record: 16-10
