LEWISBURG, Pa. — The No. 17-ranked Bucknell University men’s water polo team turned a slim 4-3 second-quarter lead into an easy 14-5 victory over Johns Hopkins University at Kinney Natatorium. The Bison ended the game on a 10-2 run and a strong defense limited the Blue Jays to just one goal in a span of more than 19 minutes before they capped the game’s scoring in the final minute.
Rade Joksimovic totaled a game-high seven steals, Charlie Niehaus (seven) and Alex Pullin (four) combined for 11 saves in goal and Bucknell forced 17 Johns Hopkins’ turnovers to remain perfect both in league play and at home this year.
The Bison offense was balanced as Joksimovic, Marko Djordjevic, Jeff Hagen and Logan Schofield netted three goals apiece. Joksimovic added three assists, while Djordjevic dished out two.
The game was close early on, but Bucknell scored three consecutive goals in the second quarter and then tallied the first seven goals of the second half. Johns Hopkins, which scored its fewest goals since a 10-4 loss to Navy on October 1, would have posted a scoreless second half without the final-minute goal by Jono Gillette.
Hagen helped the Bison open up an early 2-0 lead with the game’s first two goals. All three of his goals came in the first half.
Thanks to his seven saves, Niehaus eclipsed the 800-save plateau for his career. He is the fourth Bucknell player to reach that mark.
Release courtesy Bucknell University Athletics Communications
