Men's Water Polo Records 2-0 Mark on Day One of the Bucknell Invitational

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell men's water polo (3-6) enjoyed its return to the comforting home waters of Kinney Natatorium by recording two wins on the first day of the Bucknell Invitational. The Bison defeated Salem (8-7) 18-15 and grounded Air Force (12-5) 12-10. The wins snapped Bucknell's three-game losing streak.

Salem Recap

Aleksa Stefanovic led the way for Bucknell's potent offense, scoring seven of the 18 goals on a 70% shooting clip. The Bison shot 18-of-30 in the high-scoring shootout.

Stefanovic drew first blood but the Tigers clawed back into the competition and forged ahead 6-4. Stefanovic rose to the occasion and scored with 15 seconds remaining.

The Bison used the momentum to regain the lead at 8-7. Salem responded with a 2-0 run. The Orange & Blue countered its own 2-0 segment for the 10-9 halftime lead. Jovan Udovicic tallied the go-ahead score. He was consistently present, scoring a goal in every period.

Bucknell's run extended into the third quarter, turning into a 5-0 stretch and a 13-9 lead. Salem scored twice, but the Bison answered their roar and led 15-12 entering the final period.

Salem twice squeezed within two goals at 16-14 and 17-15. The Bison refused to let its lead slip away, and Stefanovic added the final insurance goal at 1:25 for the 18-15 win.

Air Force Recap

David Dumitru played a magnificent game between the pipes, recording a sensational 19 saves against the high-flying Falcons. The Bison goalkeeper contorted his body in every direction to prevent goals.

Air Force grabbed the early 3-1 lead and looked ready to break away before Stefanovic and Jack Dillane tied the game. The Falcons scored again before the first quarter ended.

The Bison scored two goals to take its first lead. Air Force reversed the trend and went on a 3-0 run. Jack Murad tallied a pivotal goal before halftime to boost the flagging Orange & Blue spirits.

Bucknell tied the game at 7-7, and then the teams started trading goals as neither squad could create any separation. Ori Raz tied the contest at 10-10 early in the fourth quarter.

The offenses went silent under intense defensive pressure before Dillane scored his third goal at the 3:46 mark. Dumitru upped his already spectacular play in the pen by swatting away Falcon shots. The Bison defense and Dumitru held Air Force scoreless in the final stanza.

Tyler Hedblad added a crucial insurance goal for the Bison's first two-tally lead. Air Force kept firing shots that Dumitru turned into blanks. A crucial red card on Air Force at 1:04 gave the ball back to Bucknell and essentially sealed the win for the Bison and a vocal Kinney crowd.

Up Next

The Bison conclude the Bucknell Invitational tomorrow with MAWPC games against No. 5 Fordham and Wagner.

Men's Water Polo Records 2-0 Mark on Day One of the Bucknell Invitational

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Players Mentioned

Jack Dillane

David Dumitru

Tyler Hedblad

Jack Murad

Ori Raz

Aleksa Stefanovic

Jovan Udovicic