ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Bucknell University split a pair of games at the Wolverine Invitational as the Bison dropped a 19-7 contest to host/No. 15-ranked the University of Michigan in non-conference action before rebounding for a 16-5 victory over Mercyhurst University in a Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) clash.
The Bison led 15-3 after three quarters against Mercyhurst to pick up the program’s second win of 2025 versus the Lakers.
Four different Orange & Blue shooters scored in the first period with Izzy Lippolis providing two tallies for a 5-1 lead.
Gwen Kallmeyer tallied two of her game-high four goals in the second quarter as Bucknell led 8-3 at halftime.
The game was put to bed in the third quarter with Bucknell outscoring Mercyhurst via a 7-0 count. Ashley Hopper and twin sister Olivia Hopper both scored two goals to key the Bison attack. Seniors Sidney Finkler and Boati Motau provided a tally apiece.
Mercyhurst scored twice to Bucknell’s one in the final eight minutes as Rhys Beutler buried the Bison’s final blow in the waning moments of the contest.
Facing the host Wolverines, Emma Gustafsson scored all four of Michigan’s goals in the first period and Ashley Hopper provided Bucknell’s sole deposit as the Maize & Blue built a lead its refused to relinquish.
In the final three quarters, Michigan scored five goals and Bucknell tallied two goals in each frame.
Ashley and Olivia Hopper each netted a goal in the second quarter prior to Olivia Hopper and Bella Schraa provided the depositing shots in the third quarter. Beutler supplied both goals in the final stanza, but the Wolverines sailed to a 12-score victory.
Information courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
