PRINCETON, N.J. — The Bucknell University women’s water polo team opened the 2025 season by splitting two games at the 2025 Princeton Invitational. The Bison fell 17-10 to No. 22-ranked Wagner College before rebounding for a 9-8 defeat of of Siena University at DeNunzio Pool.
Facing Wagner, Olivia Hopper‘s three goals were not enough as the Bison could not retain its lead against the potent Seahawks. Wagner posted a 30-5 record in 2024 and captured the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship.
The Bison proved game against the eastern water polo powerhouse and led 3-2 after the first quarter. Caitlin Stott‘s goal opened the scoring before Wagner grabbed a 2-1 lead. Bucknell used a 2-0 run on tallies by Ashley Hopper and Bella Schraa to regain the lead.
Wagner exploited a decisive 7-1 second quarter to seize the advantage for good. Schraa’s second goal was not enough to stem the Seahawks’ tide.
Wagner opened the second half with two more goals for an 11-4 lead. Bucknell counterattacked with a 3-0 run to close the quarter down 11-7 as Olivia Hopper scored twice and Campbell Collins added a tally.
Wagner prevented another rally by outscoring the Bison 6-3 in the final stanza. Izzy Lippolis joined Collins and Olivia Hopper by scoring a goal but it was not enough to overcome Seahawks.
Nine different Bison scored versus Siena in the late game as Bucknell escaped with a one goal win.
The game began inauspiciously for Bucknell as Siena jumped to a 3-0 lead before Caitlin Stott responded for the Bison. A Gwen Kallmeyer goal cut the deficit to 4-2 but the Saints scored once more before the first quarter ended.
The teams traded goals in the second quarter. Bucknell scored twice on Olivia Hopper and Anna Plante tallies before Siena returned the favor.
The Bison scored three times in the third quarter while holding the Saints scoreless. Schraa began the action followed by markers from Collins and Olympian Boati Motau.
Bucknell proved clutch by jumping out to a 9-7 lead as a score by Ashley Hopper’ provided the Bison with its first lead and Izzy Lippolis provided insurance with a goal to give the Bison enough to hang on for a 9-8 victory.
Information courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
