March 12, 2008

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Sophomore Shana Palencia (Glendale, Calif./Hoover) led the No. 20 Bucknell women's water polo team with two goals, while junior Aubrey Rowe (Carlisle, Pa./Cumberland Valley) posted a two-point game with one goal and one assist, as the Bison finished behind No. 11 Loyola Marymount on Wednesday evening, 9-6. Wednesday's game marked Bucknell's second of seven while in California for spring break. The Bison opened the week with a 12-7 win over Concordia (Calif.), on March 10.

Freshman Whitney Allen (Hillsborough, Calif./Menlo), sophomore Valentina Rozas (Pico Rivera, Calif./El Rancho) and senior Meagan Gins (Albuquerque, N.M./Valley) each added one goal for the Orange and Blue to bring the team's total to six on the evening. In addition to her two points, Rowe led the Bison in steals, picking up four, while Palencia followed, making three steals.

Sophomore Alison Carter (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) started in goal for the Bison, playing for the first three quarters. She made 10 saves while allowing eight of Loyola Marymount's nine goals. Junior Rachel McGillis (Los Altos, Calif./Los Altos) came into the game for the fourth quarter, making three saves and allowing one goal in a period where Bucknell and Loyola Marymount each scored once.

Bucknell got off to an early lead, notching three goals in the first quarter to Loyola Marymount's two. The Lion's recovered however, and led the Bison 4-1 in the second quarter and 2-1 in the third, while each team picked up one more goal in the last quarter, making the final score, 9-6.

The Orange and Blue came one win shy of tying a program record for consecutive wins; Wednesday's loss snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Bison. Bucknell is now 1-3 against ranked opponents and moves to a record of 14-3 this season.

The Bison are now set to take on Cal State Northridge in Northridge, Calif. on Thursday, March 13, at 6 p.m. (Eastern).

BUCKNELL 3 1 1 1 -6
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT 2 4 2 1 -9

Goals: Palencia (2), Gins, Rozas, Allen, Rowe.
Assists: Canonica, Rowe, Carter.
Ejections Drawn: Gins (3), Palencia (2), Swoyer, Vallis, Rozas, Allen, Rowe.
Saves: Carter (10 svs., 8 ga., 24:00 min.), McGillis (3 svs., 1 ga., 8:00 min.).
Steals: Rowe (4), Palencia (3), Gins, Swoyer, Rozas, Canonica, Prickett, Carter.
Sprints: Canonica (1-2), Palencia 0-2
Record: 14-3