Men's Water Polo Splits Day Two at the Triton Invitational

Saturday, August 29

San Diego, Calif.

3 p.m. ET/ 12 p.m. PT

Bucknell University

Occidental

Photo by: Breanna Ruppel

Men's Water Polo Splits Day Two at the Triton Invitational

8/29/2026 9:24:00 PM | Men's Water Polo

SAN DIEGO, Calif.- The rough waters schedule continued for Bucknell men's water polo on Saturday at the Triton Invitational as the Bison faced two more ranked opponents. The Orange & Blue (1-3) split the results, defeating No. 4 (Division III) Occidental (0-1) 22-10 for the season's first win and falling 23-8 to No. 1 UCLA (2-0).

Occidental Recap

Bucknell was tied once but never trailed against the Division III powerhouse. The Tigers were no match for the Bison's balanced, deep attack. 13 different Bucknell players scored a goal with Sean Tunnicliff's four tallies pacing the squad.

The Bison led 2-0 before Occidental tied the game. That situation did not last long. Bucknell uncorked a 3-0 run and later led 9-5 by halftime.

Bucknell continued to stack points and held a 13-8 lead entering the fourth quarter.

If Occidental harbored any hopes of a comeback, the Orange & Blue's fourth period offense shattered those naive illusions. Bucknell rounded out the match with eight more goals. Occidental could only score two and the Bison celebrated their first win of 2026.

UCLA Recap

The defending national champions reinforced why they are why they are the nation's top-ranked team with a dominant victory over the Bison. UCLA jumped out to a 5-0 lead and never looked back.

Only four Bison could find the cage. Tunnicliff once again led the Bison in scoring with three goals. Pier Giorgio Cicchetti tied his teammate with three goals.

UCLA led 14-4 at halftime and 20-7 after three periods. The Bison finished with some positive momentum, holding the Bruins to three goals while scoring once for the final margin of 23-8.

Up Next

Bucknell concludes the Triton Invitational tomorrow against St. Mary's.