ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Bucknell University defeated Salem University, 10-7, prior to topping Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) foe Saint Francis University, 15-10, to end the Wolverine Invitational. The Bison went 3-1 at the competition and have now won three straight games. The Orange & Blue previously defeated Saint Francis by a 9-8 tally earlier in the 2025 season.
Olivia Hopper scored eight goals in the two games to lead the Bison attack.
The Tigers proved dangerous to the Bison but Hopper’s six goals and a shutout of Salem in the second period prevented the upset.
Salem led 3-2 after the first quarter. Hopper tallied two goals but the Tigers produced a trio of scores.
The second quarter went 4-0 in Bucknell’s favor. Hopper scored the first two goals followed by Boati Motau and Campbell Collins each supplying a tally.
The two teams were evenly matched in the third and fourth quarters by each scoring two goals in the periods. Sidney Finkler and Hopper provided the third period scores.
Salem cut the score to 8-7 in the final period before Hopper and Caitlin Stott teamed up to seal the 10-7 victory.
Tamara Torkos delivered a standout performance in goal, making 14 saves.
Eight different Bison scored goals as Bucknell shot 15-of-29 (.517) to Saint Francis’s 10-of-35 (.286) in a conference win.
Bucknell started strong building a 4-1 lead in the opening salvo.
SFU struck back with three goals in the second quarter but the Bison countered with a trio of scores.
Ashley Hopper and Finkler built the lead to 11-5 before SFU started to cut into the deficit.
The Red Flash got within 12-9 before Bucknell ended the game on a 3-1 run thanks to two Gwen Kallmeyer goals.
Release courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
