EMMITSBURG, Md. — In a thrilling display of resilience and determination, the Bucknell University men’s water polo team clawed back from a four-goal deficit to edge out host Mount St. Mary’s University, 12-11, in sudden-victory overtime. The victory not only marked a crucial win for the Bison in the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) standings as the Bison move into third place based on points, but also secured Bucknell’s head coach John McBride a record-breaking achievement as the wins leader in program history (224) to surpass Collegiate Water Polo Association Hall of Fame (CWPA) member Dick Russell.
The game opened with a dominant start from Mount St. Mary’s, who surged ahead 4-0 by the end of the first quarter. Bucknell regrouped, however, with Aleksa Stefanovic breaking the Bison’s silence in the second quarter, and Hasan Mogultay following with a penalty shot to narrow the Mountaineers’ lead to 4-2. Although Mount St. Mary’s responded with two more goals, Bucknell’s offense gained momentum, setting the stage for a comeback.
The Bison continued to chip away in the third quarter as Shay Gillearn‘s shot brought Bucknell within one, and Matt Ryckman later scored to tie the game at six-all. Gillearn earned Bucknell its first lead in the fourth quarter at 8-7. Falling behind again, the Bison rallied back with under two minutes remaining in regulation as Sean Tunnicliff knotted the score at 11-all to advance the game into overtime.
In a tense overtime, strong defensive efforts from both teams left the score unchanged through two extra periods. Finally, in sudden death, Tunnicliff delivered the game-winning shot, firing past the Mountaineers’ goalie to secure a hard-fought 12-11 victory.
Stefanovic led Bucknell’s offense with four goals, while Tunnicliff added three and Gillearn netted two. David Dumitru claimed the victory in cage.
Release courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
