LEWISBURG, Pa. — After allowing a three-goal lead slip away and permitting the game to head into overtime, Bucknell University fought off George Washington University in a 14-13 Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) affair at home in Kinney Natatorium for the Bison’s sixth straight victory. Bucknell grabbed the lead in overtime and prevented any more comebacks by a school named for a general known for his ability to pull out unexpected wins.
Bucknell’s 2026 offense evolved into a multi-pronged attack and the overtime scoring reflected that fact. Pier Giorgio Cicchetti, the star freshman, tallied the first goal. Jovan Udovicic added the second goal. George Washington cut the deficit to 13-12 before the first overtime period ended. Greg Nordheim, scoreless in regulation, found the net in the second overtime. The Revolutionaries scored with 30 seconds remaining and immediately put on an all-out press. Bucknell ran out the clock to escape with a victory.
CicChetti and Tyler Hedblad tied for the team lead in goals with three. Ori Raz added two, both scored in the opening quarter. Charles Koven and Udovicic also supplied two goals.
Bucknell started the game on fire by racing to a 3-0 lead powered by Raz’s cage-finders. George Washington, like its namesake, was undaunted by a shoddy beginning, and rallied for a 5-4 lead. The Bison answered the challenge and used another 3-0 run, fueled by Koven’s goals to acquire a 7-5 halftime lead.
The teams traded goals in the second half until Bucknell led 11-8. Then again, George Washington found another rally, reeling off three straight tallies to deadlock the game at 11-11, and force overtime.
Release courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
