Bucknell University
Harvard
Men's Water Polo Falls Twice to Begin 2025 Season
8/30/2025 5:27:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
Harvard Recap
Bucknell jumped out to an early lead against Harvard but the Crimson's relentless tide proved too much for the Orange & Blue, allowing the ranked foe to escape with the win. Tyler Hedblad led Bucknell with four goals. Ori Raz christened his Bucknell debut with three tallies.
The Bison scored three quick goals in the first three minutes. Harvard rallied and tied the game, entering the second quarter.
The Crimson grabbed the lead three different times in the next period but each time Bucknell knotted the contest with goals from three different players. Raz's first career goal gave Bucknell a 7-6 lead but Harvard tied the game 23 seconds later for a tied halftime situation.
The second period situation turned vice versa in the third quarter. Bucknell forged ahead thrice times but the ranked foe continued to equalize the situation before inching ahead 11-10.
Bucknell tied it twice at 11-11 and 12-12. The veteran Harvard squadron asserted itself and ended the game on a 3-0 run.
MIT Recap
Sean Tunnicliff led the Bison with four goals, including a clutch tally, to send the game to a second overtime.Â
The MIT Engineers rank seventh in the Division III preseason poll.Â
The first period was all Bucknell with the Bison streaking to a 3-0 lead.Â
The Orange & Blue continued its hot stretch with four more goals in the next quarter to build a 7-0 lead. A foreboding omen for the second half arrived when MIT tallied twice before halftime.Â
MIT held Bucknell scoreless in the third period and added two more goals.Â
The Bison righted the ship and scored twice to begin the final regulation period. MIT struck back once and Bucknell replied in turn. The Engineers went on a 4-0 run to force overtime. The final goal arrived with 13 seconds remaining.Â
MIT engineered a 13-11 lead in overtime, forcing Bucknell into the role of comeback artist. Aleksa Stefanovic scored the first cage-finder and Tunnicliff alertly grabbed a deflected shot and pounded home the equalizer with four seconds left.Â
The second overtime period was sudden death. Bucknell had a golden chance with a fast break but miscommunication caused an errant throw. MIT capitalized and scored the game-winner.Â
Up Next
Bucknell completes the Bruno Classic tomorrow with a 9 a.m. game at No. 17 Brown and a noon showdown against Iona.Â
