Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Mount St. Mary's (Md.)
Men's Water Polo Takes Down Mercyhurst and The Mount in Saturday Action
10/10/2026 6:10:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell men's water polo (11-7, 6-2 MAWPC) continued its mastery of MAWPC opponents with another 2-0 weekend. The Bison edged Mount St. Mary's (7-13, 1-4 MAWPC) 15-13 before lambasting Mercyhurst (2-16, 0-7 MAWPC) 20-6 on Saturday afternoon.
Mount St. Mary's Recap
Bucknell trailed for most of the game, tied the match seven times, but never led until there were 32 seconds remaining. The Bison picked the perfect time to take the lead and added an insurance goal for the 15-13 win over their Route 15 Rival.
Jack Dillane scored two goals but his clutch tally gave Bucknell the advantage. The scene was set for a dramatic finish. Bucknell passed the ball around the pool before Pier Giogrio Cicchetti fired a shot. The ball bounced off the left post and The Mount's goalkeeper corralled the ball. While looking for an outlet pass, he unwisely exposed the ball leaving it susceptible to harm. Dillane, who plays in the middle, lurked and sprung like a trap. His big bear paw sent the ball flying into the unprotected cage.
Bucknell's defense conjured another stop. The Bison collected the ball and Cicchetti spotted the unguarded Mount St. Mary's goal. The rookie reared his arm and fired the ball between the pipes.
The Bison won the previous meeting 27-14 two weeks ago but this match was a tense affair. Mount St. Mary's scored the first two goals before the Orange & Blue tied it up. The Mountaineers scored again before the quarter ended.
Bucknell tied the game again at 3-3 and 4-4. Again, Mount St. Mary's created more separation with leads of 6-4 and 7-5. The Bison responded with a 2-0 run. The teams then traded goals for the 8-8 halftime tie.
The Mount fired like a cannon out of halftime. The Mountaineers went on a 3-0 run and looked ready to run away with the game. Bucknell goalkeeper David Dumitru made a big save to turn the momentum and jumpstart a 3-1 Bison run.
Bucknell tied the game at 12-12 and 13-13 on goals by Tyler Hedblad and Cicchetti to set the stage for Dillane's dramatic tally.
Jovan Udovicic led Bucknell with five goals. Cicchetti and Hedblad each tallied three scorers.
Mercyhurst Recap
Bucknell streamed to a 4-0 lead, briefly allowed the Lakers to inch within 6-5, before embarking on a 14-1 run to end the game, and keeping Mercyhurst winless in conference action.
Cicchetti led a balanced offense with four goals. Ori Raz added three tallies. The Bison cleared the bench and everyone enjoyed time in the pool.
The Orange & Blue breezed to a 4-0 lead and everything seemed right in Kinney. Mercyhurst, to its credit, possesses a resilent attitude and cut the deficit to 6-5 early in the second quarter.
Bucknell reasserted itself with a 3-0 run before halftime. The scoring stretch extended into the third period and the Lakers had no answer for Bucknell's versatile attack. The Bison led 16-6 entering the final quarter.
Four insurance goals in the fourth stanza allowed Bucknell to reach 20 goals for the fourth time in 2026.
Up Next
Bucknell continues with MAWPC action next Saturday in New York City when the Bison face #5 Fordham and Wagner.
