WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Bucknell University men’s water polo team outlasted George Washington, 14-10, in a Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC)-East Region road game at the Smith Center.
The Bison broke open a tie game at the half with a strong third quarter, outscoring the Colonials 4-1 in the period en route to a two-goal victory.
The Colonials started the game the brighter of the two teams, taking a 4-1 lead with 4:29 left in the first quarter.
However, Bucknell responded with two straight goals to close the period as Hasan Mogultay and Andu Vlasceanu each found the back of the cage to pull within one, 4-3, after one.
The Bison would then go on to score two of the next three goals to tie the game at five with a goal each from Vlasceanu and Doruk Ozar, and the two teams traded two goals each over the final 2:37 to tie the game at seven entering the break. Josh Yardley found Bucknell’s two goals over the final 1:53 of the half.
It was all Bucknell in the third quarter as Ethan Jones got things started with a goal on the powerplay at the 6:43 mark. Goals from Jack Lewis, Ozar and Vlasceanu over the next three minutes put the Bison up by four, 11-7, with 3:10 left in the frame.
Bucknell managed to hold onto the lead in the fourth quarter, but not without a late run from the Colonials.
A goal from the Colonials’ Viktor Jovanovic brought GW within one, 11-10, with 2:29 remaining. However, Ozar found the back of the cage with two GW defenders on him on a patient possession by the Bison to preserve the win.
A defensive possession by the Bison with one minute to go, along with a save from Touzot, helped Bucknell take a 14-10 win and avenge an earlier 8-5 loss on September 26 at home in Kinney Natatorium to the Colonials.
Ozar led the way for Bucknell with four goals, while Vlasceanu added three. Touzot made a season-best 12 saves in the win for the Bison,
Release courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
