Long Beach State University Beaches Bucknell University, 6-5 OT
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- The Bucknell University and Long Beach State University women’s water polo teams met last weekend and the then-nationally ranked 49ers came away with a 9-5 victory. It appeared as though the Bison would reverse that outcome in their latest meeting, leading 2-0 early and 5-3 in the fourth quarter, but Long Beach State tallied the final two goals in regulation and the only score in overtime to defeat Bucknell, 6-5.
Long Beach State (7-10) scored two goals in the final four minutes of regulation, including the equalizing tally with 41 seconds remaining by Justine Morgan. Morgan, who had two goals in the game, then scored what proved to be the winning goal 91 seconds into the first three-minute overtime period.
Julianne Valdes (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep), who led Bucknell with two goals, and Taylor Barnett (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) each scored in the first period as the Bison jumped out to a 2-0 lead.
The game was tied three times and Long Beach State did not take its first lead until Morgan’s overtime goal.
Rena Heim (Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin) recorded 10 saves in goal for Bucknell, while her counterpart with the 49ers, Kelly Ringel, posted 20 stops.
Valdes and Barbara Peterson (Palo Alto, Calif./Castilleja) broke a 3-3 tie entering the fourth quarter with a pair of six-on-five goals in the opening minutes of the final period.
Morgan’s game-tying goal in the final minute of regulation was Long Beach State’s only six-on-five score in six chances. Bucknell was 3-for-12 as three 49ers fouled out.
It was the first overtime game of the season for the Bison, who have lost six in a row and are now 10-14 on the season. Two of their last three losses have been by just one goal.
Release courtesy Bucknell Athletic Communications