The Bison Fall in Season Opener to Ranked Teams

Saturday, February 3

Cambridge, Mass.

9:00 AM

Bucknell University

Wagner

2/3/2024 3:35:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Bucknell University women's water polo team dropped two games to ranked opponents Saturday, falling 18-8 to No. 20 Wagner and 18-4 to No. 21 Long Island in the season opener here Saturday.

Game One: No. 20 Wagner 18 Bucknell 8

Wagner started fast and never looked back in taking an 18-8 win at Blodgett Pool.

Although the Bison were successful in winning the sprint in the first two-quarters of play, the Seahawks went on a 7-2 run in the first half. Sophomore Gwen Kallmeyer and junior Izzy Lippolis put Bucknell on the board with its only successful plays on the net.

The Bison came out determined in the second half to score. Campbell Collins, a freshman from Baltimore, Md., kicked off the scoring movement by successfully nailing her first collegiate goal shortly after the start.

Senior captain Isabelle Monaghan notched herself four goals in an effort to close the growing gap between the Bison and Seahawks 13-8. Ultimately, Wagner kept a foot on the gas and went on to score five more goals in the second half to take the victory.

The Seahawks had a significant defensive effort throughout the game, which is something the team has been known for.

Tamara Torkos, Caitlin Stott, and Campbell Collins made their collegiate premiere against Wagner.

Game Two: No. 21 Long Island 18 Bucknell 4

In the final game of the day for the Bison, the majority underclass team looked to continue the momentum built late in the first game. The Sharks started fast and never let up.

Kallmeyer, in the third possession of the game, put Bucknell on the board, tying it 1-1 in the first quarter. Long Island earned itself a 7-2 run in the first half of play, with Monaghan successfully ripping the Bisons' second and only goal of the second quarter.

Long Island held the Bison scoreless in the third quarter while triumphantly scoring four goals of its own to extend its lead 11-2. Junior attacker Sydney deVroedt earned herself a hat trick with her third successful play on the net for the Sharks.

Bucknell came out strong in the fourth quarter, winning the sprint to earn first possession. However, Long Island continued its scoring streak with three more goals in the fourth quarter before Kallmeyer answered back for the Bison, earning the first goal of the second half and her second goal. Sophomore Bella Schraa put the Bisons' fourth and final goal on the board in an attempt to shrink the gap.

The game came to an end with senior utility player Rachel Loomis making a buzzer-beater for the Sharks, securing the final goal.

Lehua Bender and Regan Coon made their collegiate premiere against Long Island.

The Bison are back at it again Sunday against Marist at 11 a.m. and Siena at 2 p.m.