Bucknell University Athletics
Saturday, September 7
La Jolla, Calif. (Canyonview Pool)
3 p.m. ET
Bucknell University
22
vs
10
UC Merced
Men’s Water Polo Downs UC Merced 22-10 as Part of Day 1 Split at Triton Invitational
9/7/2024 5:35:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
LA JOLLA, Calif. – Shay Gillearn recorded five goals and four other Bucknell players tallied three goals apiece as the Bison men's water polo team downed UC Merced 22-10 in the 2024 season opener at the Triton Invitational on Saturday at Canyonview Pool. The Bison returned to the water later in the evening and dropped a 16-3 decision to No. 12 UC San Diego, the tournament host.
In the opener against UC Merced, Sean Tunnicliff, Aleksa Stefanovic, and freshmen Jovan Udovicic and Tyler Hedblad all tallied three goals apiece for the Bison, who posted their highest season-opening goal total since a 24-9 win over Notre Dame (Ohio) in 2012.
UC Merced opened the scoring 40 seconds into the match, but Bucknell scored the next four to take control. Udovicic scored the team's first goal of the season at the 6:13 mark of the first quarter. Gillearn gave the Bison the lead, and then Hedblad scored twice in a 25-second span to make it 4-1.
UC Merced pulled within 5-3, but goals from Matt Ryckman and Ned Smith late in the first quarter made it 7-3. Ryckman started the second quarter with a power-play tally, and Hedblad's third of the day gave the Bison a commanding 9-3 lead. Bucknell led 11-5 at the half and then used another four-goal surge in the third quarter to make it a runaway.
Bucknell used two goalkeepers in the game, with starter David Dumitru making five saves and Mateo Herrera four. In addition to his three goals, Tunnicliff led the Bison with four ejections drawn.
Ryckman, Stefanovic, and Hedblad scored the goals and Dumitru made nine saves in the loss to UCSD.
Bucknell has two more games on Sunday at the Triton Invitational. The Bison will take on Redlands at 11 a.m. Eastern and Long Beach State at 3 p.m. ET.
In the opener against UC Merced, Sean Tunnicliff, Aleksa Stefanovic, and freshmen Jovan Udovicic and Tyler Hedblad all tallied three goals apiece for the Bison, who posted their highest season-opening goal total since a 24-9 win over Notre Dame (Ohio) in 2012.
UC Merced opened the scoring 40 seconds into the match, but Bucknell scored the next four to take control. Udovicic scored the team's first goal of the season at the 6:13 mark of the first quarter. Gillearn gave the Bison the lead, and then Hedblad scored twice in a 25-second span to make it 4-1.
UC Merced pulled within 5-3, but goals from Matt Ryckman and Ned Smith late in the first quarter made it 7-3. Ryckman started the second quarter with a power-play tally, and Hedblad's third of the day gave the Bison a commanding 9-3 lead. Bucknell led 11-5 at the half and then used another four-goal surge in the third quarter to make it a runaway.
Bucknell used two goalkeepers in the game, with starter David Dumitru making five saves and Mateo Herrera four. In addition to his three goals, Tunnicliff led the Bison with four ejections drawn.
Ryckman, Stefanovic, and Hedblad scored the goals and Dumitru made nine saves in the loss to UCSD.
Bucknell has two more games on Sunday at the Triton Invitational. The Bison will take on Redlands at 11 a.m. Eastern and Long Beach State at 3 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Men's Water Polo
ATK
/ Men's Water Polo
/ Men's Water Polo
GK
/ Men's Water Polo
C
/ Men's Water Polo
ATK
/ Men's Water Polo
A
/ Men's Water Polo
/ Men's Water Polo
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