LEWISBURG, Pa. — The Bucknell University men’s water polo team earned a 13-8 win over No. 20-ranked the United States Air Force Academy in the Bison’s final game of the 2023 Bucknell Invitational.
The Bison – who now stand at 3-7 on the season – kicked off the first half of play with a 6-0 run against the Falcons. Fifth-year attacker Andu Vlasceanu and junior attacker Shay Gillearn posted back-to-back goals to start the game. Junior center Matt Ryckman and sophomore attacker Aleksa Stefanovic tallied a goal each for the Bison.
Air Force put its first point on the board when Jack Richards scored with 54 seconds left in the opening frame.
Senior attacker Walker Butler answered back for Bucknell with back-to-back goals to extend the lead 8-1. Shortly after, Stefanovic notched his second goal of the game, and first-year attacker Sean Michael Tunnicliff registered his first point. First-year goalkeeper David Dumitru permitted the Falcons two goals to close out the first half as Bucknell held a 10-3 lead.
The hosts added two more goals in the third quarter as Gillearn notched his third goal, and senior center Doruk Ozar chipped in his inaugural goal of the game to build the lead to 12-7. In the fourth quarter, Stefanovic notched his third and his team’s final goal to advance the score to 13-7.
Release courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
