Women's Water Polo Starts the Season 2-0 with Resounding Wins over New York State Foes

Friday, January 30

Princeton, N.J.

3 p.m.

Bucknell University

LIU

Women's Water Polo Starts the Season 2-0 with Resounding Wins over New York State Foes

1/30/2026 9:02:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

PRINCETON, N.J.- Bucknell (2-0) opened the 2026 campaign with a resounding reverberation, defeating LIU (1-4) 13-9 and Iona (2-3) 12-9 on Friday night at the Princeton Invite. Iona was in the receiving votes category in the latest CWPA Poll and LIU finished 18-12 in 2025.

The Bison started 2-0 for the first time since 2022 when the Orange & Blue defeated La Salle and St. Francis Brooklyn in Kinney Natatorium. Bucknell had not started 2-0 while roadbound since 2020 when the team began the abbreviated campaign 6-0.

The Olivias attacked with full force for Bucknell. Olivia Hopper resumed her 89-goal pace from 2025 with five tallies. Freshman Olivia Garcia introduced herself to collegiate water polo with five goals.

LIU Recap

Bucknell outpaced the tenacious Sharks to start the season at 1-0. Seven different Bison players contributed to the scoring output with Ashley Hopper's three goals serving as the game's highest total. Tamara Toskas provided 12 saves. The Orange & Blue shot an efficient 13 of 20 from the field.

The Bison twice trailed early in the contest before rallying for the 4-3 lead, as the first quarter concluded. Four different Bucknell players provided the goals.

With the score sitting at 6-5 Bucknell, the Bison went on a 3-1 run to end the half. Once again, the scores were a complete team effort with five Orange & Blue members tallying the cage finders.

Bucknell put the game out of reach with a 3-0 run in the third quarter. The Hopper twins, Ashley and Olivia, combined with Campbell Collins for the stretch.

LIU scored three garbage time goals before Ashley Hopper capped the score at 13-9.

Iona Recap

Bucknell's hot shooting continued against Iona turning the pool into a hot tub with a sizzling 12 of 16 record. Both Olivia Garcia and Olivia Hopper scored three goals to lead the Bison. Garcia was a perfect 3-for-3 and Hopper only missed one shot.

The Bison set the tone early with a four-goal first quarter and added three more in the second period to lead 7-5 at halftime.

A 3-1 third quarter for Bucknell padded the Orange & Blue's lead, which proved necessary as Iona scored thrice in the final period. The Bison added two insurance goals for the 12-9 win.

Up Next

Bucknell concludes the Princeton Invite tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. versus No. 24 Wagner. The Bison and Seahawks tangled once in 2025. The game was Bucknell's season opener and Wagner won 17-10.