PRINCETON, N.J. — Bucknell University posted a 2-0 mark against Gaels on its second day at the 2026 Princeton Invitational by topping No. 20-ranked Saint Mary’s University of California, 14-9, and Iona University, 16-13, in the confines of Princeton University’s DeNunzio Pool.
The win over Saint Mary’s marks Bucknell’s first defeat of a ranked opponent since beating the United States Air Force Academy in 2023.
Taking on the nationally-ranked Gaels of Saint Mary’s, Sean Tunnicliff led the Bison with four goals as the Bison rallied from an early deficit. The game evens the all-time record between Bucknell and Saint Mary’s to 1-1 as the Bison dropped a 12-9 contest on August 30 to the Gaels at the University of California-San Diego’s Triton Invitational in La Jolla, Calif.
Saint Mary’s bolted to a 2-0 lead before the Bison uncorked a 6-0 run to turn the tides. Tunnicliff started the rally with two goals and four other Bison added scores. Both teams scored two more goals for an 8-4 Bucknell halftime lead.
The Gaels tallied twice out of halftime, but once again the Bison answered with a decisive run. A 3-0 stretch created separation prior to the squads exchanging strikes for a five-goal Bucknell victory.
Taking on East Coast foe Iona, the Bison avoided any emotional letdown by getting by the Gaels with a balanced offensive attack. Tyler Hedblad and Tunnicliff both produced four goals to pace the Orange & Blue.
Bucknell sprinted to a 4-1 lead as part of a five-goal first period that saw different goal scorers to put Iona behind the eight-ball.
Iona cut the deficit to 4-3 before the Bison sped ahead 9-4. The Gaels continued to remain within striking distance by not allowing Bucknell to break free as Iona entered halftime down 9-6..
Both teams scored seven goals in the second half, but the even exchange worked out for the Bison as Bucknell returned home with a 16-13 win.
Information courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
