March 28, 2008

LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell women's water polo team had never defeated Princeton in 22 all-time meetings entering Friday night's conference opener at Kinney Natatorium. That has now changed as the Bison scored three goals in the final 3:52 to post a thrilling come-from-behind 6-5 victory over the No. 16 Tigers.

Meagan Gins (Albuquerque, N.M./Valley) completed the comeback as she converted her second goal of the game with a deep shot with 1:58 showing on the clock. It was the third score for the Bison in less than a minute. Princeton scored just one in the fourth quarter, and none in the final 6:45 of play.

The Tigers entered the final minute with the ball and a chance to tie, but Aubrey Rowe (Carlisle, Pa./Cumberland Valley) stole the ball with 40 seconds left. It appeared as though the Bison had the game nearly sealed, but Phoebe Champion, who tied for the team lead for Princeton with three steals, stole the ball right back, giving the Tigers one last chance to even the score.

Helen Meigs' shot from the right flank with 12 seconds showing on the clock that would have tied the score glanced off the left post and into the hands of a Bison defender, clinching Bucknell's fifth consecutive win.

Bucknell (19-4, 1-0 CWPA Southern Division) trailed 5-3 at the midway point of the fourth quarter when its offense started clicking. First, Jennifer Swoyer (Erie, Pa./McDowell) scored on a penalty shot. Then, Valentina Rozas (Pico Rivera, Calif./El Rancho), who tied Gins for the team lead with two goals, tipped in a pass from Gins with 2:43 remaining that evened the score and brought the lively crowd to its feet. Both Rozas' and Gins' goals in the final minutes were in man-up situations. Overall, the Bison were 3-for-8 on their six-on-five chances. Princeton was 1-for-9.

Rowe's steal in the final minute brought her game-high total to five as she spearheaded the Bison defensive attack that limited the Tigers' offensive attack to single-digit goals for the third time in the last four games.

Alison Carter (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) was solid in goal for Bucknell, registering seven saves as she helped the Bison to their second win over a ranked opponent this season.

Princeton (12-9) was led by two goals apiece from Tanya Wilcox and Lauren Saab, while goalie Natalie Kim stopped nine shots. The Tigers' largest lead was two goals at 4-2 and 5-3, but they managed just one goal over the final nine minutes of play.

Bucknell's victory ended a lengthy streak against the Tigers. The Bison had dropped all 22 meetings. However, each of the last six meetings entering Friday were decided by three goals or less, including a 9-8 overtime decision at the 2006 Eastern Championship.

Bucknell is now 9-1 at Kinney Natatorium over the last two years and has a five-game home winning streak. Overall, the Bison are now 33-10 all-time in their six-year-old home facility.

Rozas' two goals Friday helped her increase her season total to a career-high 51. Gins is second on the team this season with 38 scores. Rowe failed to net a point, keeping her at 199 in her three-year career.

Bucknell, which is four wins shy of equaling the program record, hosts three more games this weekend. On Saturday it will face George Washington (12 p.m.) and St. Francis (N.Y.) (3 p.m.). Sunday's noon game against Maryland will have a live video broadcast on SportsJuice.com.

PRINCETON   1 1 2 1 -5
BUCKNELL     1 0 2 3 -6

Goals: Gins (2), Rozas (2), Swoyer, Canonica.
Assists: Palencia, Gins, Swoyer, Rozas, Prickett.
Ejections Drawn: Rozas (3), Allen (3), Palencia, Gins, Rowe.
Saves: Carter (7 svs., 5 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Rowe (5), Rozas (2), Canonica (2), Carter (2), Palencia, Swoyer.
Sprints: Swoyer (1-1), Canonica (1-1), Palencia (0-1), Rowe (0-1).
Record: 19-4, 1-0 CWPA Southern Division