Water Polo Beats Johns Hopkins & Loses Nailbiter to George Washington

LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison men's water polo team (7-7, 4-2 MAWPC) dropped a tight 13-12 decision to the George Washington Revolutionaries to start Senior Day Saturday but rebounded to defeat Johns Hopkins 13-8 to split two conference games. The Bison had a 10-8 lead before the Revolutionaries channeled the spirit of their namesake and staged a late comeback. Bucknell used a big third quarter to outdistance themselves from Johns Hopkins.

George Washington Recap

Seven different players scored for the Bison with Shay Gilleran's four goals leading the way. Hasan Mogultay and Aleska Stefanovic both tallied two scores. Four other Orange & Blue players each provided one goal.

George Washington was more selective in scoring with five players tallying a goal with Antonio Florena's five goals serving as the game high. Adonis Vlassis scored one fewer goal but he obtained the game-winning tally.

The Revolutionaries owned the first quarter racing to a 2-0 lead and eventually gaining a 3-1 advantage despite Mogultary's first goal.

George Washington continued to lead through most of the second period before the Bison rallied for a 5-5 tie with 50 seconds remaining. Jack Dillane's sole goal tied the game. However, the Revolutionaries, in a pivotal moment, grabbed two scored before halftime hit.

After halftime, the Bison stampeded to a 5-1 run and seizing the 10-8 lead. Gilleran shined during the stretch scoring three of the five goals. Once again, George Washington used a 2-0 run to close the quarter on a high note and start the fourth quarter with a 10-10 deadlock.

Stefanovic tried to win the game himself in the final period. Twice, he scored to give Bucknell a one-goal lead and twice the Revolutionaries counterattacked for the tie. With the score knotted at 12-12 and 1:13 remaining, Vlassis scored his decisive tally. Bucknell had two chances to tie but an offensive foul eliminated the first try and the buzzer-beater shot was swatted away.

Johns Hopkins Recap

Eight Bison players combined for 13 goals with Sean Tunnicliff's two goals leading the team.

The first quarter witnessed a 2-2 deadlock. Tunnicliff opened the scoring before Hopkins went up 2-1. Gilleran issued the equalizer.

Bucknell used a 2-0 run to start the second period establishing a lead that they would never yield. Twice, the Blue Jays squeezed within one goal but the Bison answered each score to lead 6-4 at halftime.

The Bison energized the crowd with a 5-1 third quarter stretch effectively obtaining the victory. Four different Bison tallied a goal as the Blue Jays were helpless against the offensive attack.

Both teams scored two goals in the final period. The even pace worked to Bucknell's advantage as the Bison gladly accepted its first victory of the weekend and its seventh of the season.

Senior Day

The Bison honored four seniors: Jack Bruce, Shay Gilleran, Hasan Mogultay, and Matt Ryckman prior to the Johns Hopkins game.

Water Polo Beats Johns Hopkins & Loses Nailbiter to George Washington

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Players Mentioned

Jack Bruce

Jack Dillane

Hasan Mogultay

Matt Ryckman

Sean Tunnicliff