PRINCETON, N.J. — The Bucknell University men’s water polo team concluded its time at the Princeton University Invitational with a 16-9 win over Division III No. 3-ranked California Lutheran University. The victory avenges a prior 13-12 loss to the Kingsmen in both teams’ season-opener on September 3 at the United States Naval Academy’s Navy Open.
The Bison used a big third quarter to create separation in what was a closely-contested contest through 16 minutes. After the Kingsmen found a goal to pull within three at 8-5 with 39 seconds to go in the first half, Bucknell’s Andu Vlasceanu found a response with 11 seconds on the clock in the quarter to give Bucknell a 9-5 lead at the halftime horn.
The goal by the senior was the first of eight unanswered scores, seven of those in the third quarter, to extend the Bison lead to 16-5. Cal Lutheran eventually stopped its scoreless streak with 25 seconds left to go in the third quarter as Bucknell kept the Kingsmen off the board for over eight minutes of play en route to a 16-9 victory.
Ethan Jones, Aleksa Stefanovic and Shultz each scored three times in the victory, while Vlasceanu and Jack Murad also added multiple goals. Colby Paine and Doruk Ozar accounted for Bucknell’s other two tallies.
Bucknell held its opponent to single digits in goals for the second time this season, earning its second win of the young campaign.
Release courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
