Bucknell University
Wagner (MAWPC Championship First Round)
Men's Water Polo Falls to Wagner In MAWPC Quarterfinals
11/22/2024 5:58:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – In a hard-fought contest on Friday evening, the fifth-seeded Bucknell men's water polo team fell to fourth-seeded Wagner 12-9 on the opening day of the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference Tournament, hosted by Navy.
The Seahawks quickly established a 2-0 lead, but the Bison responded with back-to-back goals from senior Matt Ryckman and junior Sean Tunnicliff to tie things up. Both teams exchanged goals throughout the first half, with neither side able to pull away by more than two goals.
Bucknell evened the score at 5-5 with a goal from Aleksa Stefanovic, and then took its first lead of the game when freshman Jovan Udovicic found the back of the net. The Bison ended the third quarter on a high note, with Stefanovic and Tunnicliff scoring two more goals to put Bucknell ahead.
However, Wagner responded in the final period, going on a 4-0 run to regain the lead. Udovicic scored one last goal for the Bison, but Wagner held on for the 12-9 victory.
Ryckman, Stefanovic, and Udovicic each scored two goals for the Bison, while Tunnicliff, Jack Dillane, and Tyler Hedblad each added one. Goalkeeper David Dumitru recorded 11 saves in the loss.
The Bison will look to bounce back on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Mercyhurst.
