ERIE, Pa. — Bucknell University improved to 8-6, including a 3-1 mark in Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) competition, as the Bison scored a combined 47 goals in topping host Mercyhurst University, 20-9, and Mount St. Mary’s University, 27-14, at the Laker Invitational.
The 27 goals against Mount St. Mary’s represent the best scoring outburst for Bucknell since notching 34 on October 1, 1994 against Johns Hopkins University. The Bison scored 26 goals last year versus Mercyhurst.
Meeting the host Lakers, Bucknell shot a sizzling 20-of-30 (66.7%) and never were threatened against the host team. Ten different players contributed goals as Mercyhurst was overmatched by Bucknell’s offensive attack.
Tyler Hedblad and Jovan Udovicic tied for the team lead in goals by posting trios for hat-tricks.
The Bison fell behind 1-0 before stampeding past the Lakers. The offense turned on the jets and led 4-1 by the first quarter’s conclusion.
Bucknell did not waiver in the second quarter in putting away five more goals to acquire a 9-4 halftime lead.
The Orange & Blue found the net five more times in the third quarter and polished off Mercyhurst with six more goals in the final eight minute of regulation to snag a 20-9 victory.
Bucknell exceeded its earlier offensive fireworks against Mount St. Mary’s by shooting 27-of-34 (79.4%) to rack up another win in the Route 15 Rivalry. Once again, ten different Bison recorded a tally as the Orange & Blue produced its football score in as many games.
Jack Dillane paced Bucknell with five goals, while Hedblad, Ori Raz and Hudson Tweed sniped the Mountaineers for four goals.
The Bison were actually on pace to score 36 goals – which would have been a program record – with a nine-goal first quarter.
However things slightly stabilized for the Mount in the second quarter as the team held Bucknell to six goals while scoring four to set the scoreboard at 15-8 entering halftime.
The Mountaineers upped their efforts and found the net six times in the third quarter, but the Bison were disdainful of any comeback by scoring eight times.
Bucknell’s defense zeroed in on the Mount, holding its rival to zero goals in the final quarter. The Bison added four more insurance goals to cap off a 27-14 win.
Information courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
