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Bucknell University Edges Wagner 8-7 at Bison Invitational
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The Bucknell University women's water polo team trailed for the first time on the young season and relinquished a 6-3 halftime lead, but was still able to edge out Wagner College, 8-7, Saturday evening during the second day of the Bison Invitational at Kinney Natatorium. The Bison improved to 3-0 with the victory, while the Seahawks fell to 1-1.
Bucknell was forced to play much of the second and third quarters without leading scorer Valentina Rozas (Pico Rivera, Calif./El Rancho), who picked up her second ejection late in the first quarter. She finished with just one goal, but it was an important one as it ended an eight-minute scoreless drought and gave the Bison a 7-6 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Two first-half goals from both Amanda Skonezney (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) and Hallie Kennan (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) helped Bucknell to a 6-3 halftime edge, but Wagner held the Bison scoreless in the third quarter and reeled off three goals in a four-minute stretch to tie the score for the fourth time in the contest. The equalizing tally was a five-meter penalty shot by Natalie Pyrz.
Shana Palencia (Glendale, Calif./Hoover) followed Rozas' go-ahead goal with her second score with just over five minutes to play, giving the Bison a two-goal cushion at 8-6. However, on its next possession, Wagner's Molly Robinson lofted a shot over the outstretched arm of goalie Alison Carter (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) to bring the Seahawks back to within one.
Both teams proceeded to come up empty on a number of possessions, with the Bison playing especially well in the final two minutes. Bucknell's defense held Wagner scoreless on a six-on-five chance with about two minutes left, and a minute later scooped up a loose ball after a shot by Rozas caromed off the crossbar and out to mid-pool.
After the Bison came up empty on their extra possession, Wagner took control with 43 seconds left, but a shot by Robinson went wide left of the net, sealing the Bucknell victory.
Carter was strong in goal for the Bison, stopping 13 shots for the second time in three games this year. She now has 490 saves in her career.
Kennan, Skonezney, who scored once after stealing the ball almost right from the goalie after everyone else had retreated down pool, and Palencia led the Bucknell offense with two goals apiece, while Tara Murao (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) and Rozas chipped in one apiece. Kandis Canonica (Burlingame, Calif./St. Ignatius Prep) dished out a team-high two assists, bringing her career total to 130, just 12 behind the program standard.
The Bison finished the game 0-for-3 in six-on-five situations and were just 1-for-3 on penalty shots. Wagner was 2-for-10 in six-on-five chances and converted its only penalty shot.
Kelsey Rodgers nearly matched Carter as she notched 11 saves in the losing effort.
Earlier in the day, Bucknell defeated Mercyhurst 14-5, while Wagner defeated George Washington 7-3.
Release courtesy Bucknell Athletic Communications
