No. 20 Women's Water Polo Falls in CWPA Championship to No. 7 Michigan

Saturday, April 24

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1 p.m.

Bucknell University

Saint Francis (Pa.)

Photo by: Marc Hagemeier

No. 20 Women's Water Polo Falls in CWPA Championship to No. 7 Michigan

4/24/2021 9:30:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 20 Bucknell University women's water polo team earned its first CWPA Championship appearance since 1994 with an 8-5 win over Saint Francis (Pa.) , but fell to host and No. 7 Michigan in the championship game 12-5.

Bucknell finishes its season at 8-4, with three of those losses coming to the perennial powerhouse Wolverines.

In the semifinal matchup against the Red Flash, The Bison used a 4-1 run in the second and third to gain a 5-2 advantage that it would hold until the end of the game.

Ally Furano opened the scoring for the Bison, before a leveling goal from the Red Flash. Megan LaCroix then gave Bucknell the lead once more at 2-1 to end the first quarter. A. Furano scored three of Bucknell's four goals during Bucknell's 4-1 run, while sister Paige added the goal that initially started the run after the Red Flash had pulled within two. P. Furano added Bucknell's final goal in the fourth, as Bucknell never led by less than three for the remainder of the game.

A. Furano accounted for five of Bucknell's goals, while P. Furano added two.

Goals: A. Furano (5), P. Furano (2), LaCroix
Assists: Moynihan (2), Herrera, P. Furano, LaCroix
Steals: Moynihan (3), A. Furano (3). Herrera (2), P. Furano
Saves: Gove, 5 saves, 32:00 Minutes

In the championship game against Michigan, the Wolverines used a nine-goal first half to overpower the Bison early on in a 12-5 victory.

The Bison trailed 4-0 before P. Furano stopped the Michigan run with a goal on an assist from LaCroix, capitalizing on the power play. However Michigan responded with two more goals before Marcela Herrera scored to halt another Michigan run. Three more goals by the Wolverines to close the second period gave Michigan a commanding 9-3 lead at the halftime break, as it went on to cruise to a seven-goal victory.

P. Furano led the Bison with three goals, while senior Herrera added a goal. Kali Hyham scored Bucknell's other goal in the defeat.

The game marks the final contest for seniors A. Furano, Hyham, and Herrera, who combined for 64 victories in the Orange and Blue, and the program's highest-ever finish at the CWPA Championships this season.

Goals: P. Furano (3), Hyham, Herrera
Assists: Herrera (2), LaCroix
Steals: Herrera (2), P. Furano (2), Moynihan, LaCroix, Tapiero
Saves: Gove, 3 saves, 32:00 minutes