Water Polo Splits MAWPC Matches to Finish Regular Season

Sunday, November 1

Washington, D.C

10 a.m.

Bucknell University

George Washington

Photo by: Colin Singleton

11/1/2026 6:13:00 PM | Men's Water Polo

SPRINGFIELD, Va. & ANNAPOLIS, Md.- Bucknell (12-14, 7-5 MAWPC) completed the regular season by splitting a pair of conference matches on Sunday. The Bison routed George Washington (11-13, 2-7 MAWPC) 22-9 and fell 13-10 to #16 Navy (18-5, 7-2 MAWPC).

The split finalized Bucknell at 7-5 in MAWPC play, and while a weekend of conference games remain for several teams, the Bison are most likely locked into the number three seed for the MAWPC Championships. In that situation, the Orange & Blue will would likely face George Washington in the First Round. #5 Fordham clinched the top seed while Navy's two wins on Sunday locked down #2.

George Washington Recap

The first meeting between the teams saw Bucknell prevail in a 14-13 overtime classic. The Bison entered the game on a six-game losing streak and Bucknell unvented its frustrations upon the Revolutionaries in a reenactment of Kip's Bay.

Ten different Bison pounded the nets. Jovan Udovicic led the scoring with five goals. Jack Dillane, the colossus in the center, added four goals.

Bucknell wasted little time, establishing its dominance, scoring five goals in the opening stanza. George Washington, displaying the fighting spirit of its moniker, cut the deficit to 6-3 in the second quarter. The Bison prevented any further comeback with a 5-1 run to end the half.

George Washington scored four goals in the third quarter but could not keep pace with Bucknell's offense which tallied five more cage-finders.

Bucknell put the matter to bed with six more goals in the final period. George Washington, exhausted and spent, found the net only once.

Navy Recap

For the second time in 2026, Bucknell found itself stuck at eight goals while a Navy team sailed away with the game on a massive run. The Mids defeated Bucknell 15-8 in the first match, using a 5-0 run after the Bison cut the deficit to 10-8. On Sunday, Bucknell led 8-5 before a 7-0 Navy run permanently altered the game and tarnished any chance of an upset.

Pier Giorgio Cicchetti and Charlie Koven each scored three goals to pace the Bison. Dillane and Nordheim were the other Orange & Blue scorers at two goals apiece.

The first half featured formulaic set pieces of Bucknell going ahead by two goals and Navy responded to tie. The Bison scored twice on Dillane and Nordheim goals to open the game. The Mids tied it up before the first quarter expired.

Koven scored twice in 24 seconds in the second period. Navy again tied the contest. Nordheim dented the twine with 33 seconds and Bucknell led 5-4 at halftime.

The Bison extended their lead to 8-5 with two goals by Cicchetti and one by Koven. An upset seemed in the offering but the Midshipmen found a second gear and rode a 7-0 run into the final quarter.

Bucknell scored twice but Navy added an insurance goal and cemented a 13-10 victory.

Up Next

Bucknell will rest for two weekends before hosting the MAWPC Championships on Nov. 20-22.