Women's Water Polo Falls to Princeton, 11-5, at CWPA Championships

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Second-seeded and 15th-ranked Princeton scored the final five goals of the first half on the way to an 11-5 victory over third-seeded and 21st-ranked Bucknell on Saturday in a CWPA Championships semifinal game on Saturday at Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center. Emily Konishi and Ally Furano scored two goals apiece for the Bison, who will battle fourth-seeded Harvard in the third-place game on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Bucknell took a 1-0 lead early in the contest when Furano fed Konishi for the opening goal. But that would be the only first-half tally for the Bison, as Princeton scored the next five to take a 5-1 lead at halftime.

Furano ended Bucknell's drought with a power-play tally off an assist from Konishi just 33 seconds into the third quarter, but the Tigers' Laura Larkin responded just 23 seconds later, and Princeton led by at least four goals the rest of the way. The Tigers scored goals on 11 of their 15 shots and were also boosted by 11 saves from goalie Marissa Webb.

Konishi also had two assists for a four-point day. Paige Furano also scored for the Bison, who outshot Princeton 28-15. The Tigers were whistled for 15 exclusions, but the Bison could only convert twice with an extra player. Meanwhile, Princeton was 5-for-10 on the power play.

Ally Furano now has 119 goals on the season, extending her school single-season record. Kali Hyham led the team with three steals and three drawn ejections.

Bucknell is now 24-12 on the season. The Bison went 1-2 against Harvard during the regular season, with all three contests decided by two goals. The Crimson dropped a 14-7 decision to top-seeded Michigan in the other semifinal matchup on Saturday.

According to the CWPA, Bucknell is guaranteed to at least tie its all-time best finish at the championship – with the possibility of establishing a new high spot – as the Bison have placed fourth (2006), fifth (2010, 2016, 2018), sixth (2008, 2014, 2017), seventh (2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015), eighth (2003, 2012), ninth (2000) and 11th (2002) in the many versions of the CWPA/Eastern Championship since 1999.

Goals: A. Furano (2), Konishi (2), P. Furano
Assists: Konishi (2), A. Furano, Mooney, Benson
Steals: Hyham (3), A. Furano, Konishi
Ejections Drawn: Hyham (3), Hodzic (3), A. Furano (2), P. Furano

Women's Water Polo Falls to Princeton, 11-5, at CWPA Championships

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Players Mentioned

Ally Furano

Paige Furano

Kali Hyham

Emily Konishi