April 13, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Playing its third game in a span of 18 hours, and its second in six hours, the Bucknell women's water polo team nearly upset No. 11 Michigan, but fell to the Wolverines 7-6 Sunday afternoon to close out its regular season with a 24-7 record. Aubrey Rowe (Carlisle, Pa./Cumberland Valley) led the Bison with three goals and added five steals.

Earlier in the day Bucknell had defeated Maryland 12-10 to clinch the top seed at this Saturday's Southern Championships, which will be held at Kinney Natatorium. The non-conference game against Michigan wrapped up the regular season schedule.

The Bison, who are now 0-11 all-time against Michigan, were tied with the Wolverines at 5-5 entering the fourth quarter. However, Michigan (27-9) outscored Bucknell 2-1 in the final period. The Bison did have a pair of six-on-five opportunities in the final two minutes with a chance to tie the score, but failed to convert either. Overall, Bucknell was a solid 4-for-9 with a man advantage.

Shana Palencia (Glendale, Calif./Hoover), Jennifer Swoyer (Erie, Pa./McDowell) and Kandis Canonica (Burlingame, Calif./St. Ignatius Prep) rounded out the scoring for Bucknell with one goal apiece. Canonica also added a pair of assists to bring her season total to 55, just three shy of equaling the program's single-season mark that has stood since 2001.

Alison Carter (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) recorded her second double-figure save performance of the day with 12 saves as her season total crossed the 200 plateau (207). She also added two steals. Rowe led the way with five thefts, while Haley Prickett (Newport Beach, Calif./Corona del Mar) chipped in four.

While Bucknell is 0-11 all-time against Michigan, it has lost the last four games in the series by a total of nine goals. Saturday's loss marked the fifth against a ranked opponent this year for Bucknell.

The Bison will begin their quest for their first-ever Southern Championships title this Saturday when they face George Washington at 9 a.m. The championship game is at 6 p.m. inside Kinney Natatorium, while the consolation game for the one-day, four-team tournament is slated for 4:30 p.m.

BUCKNELL    0 2 3 1 -6
MICHIGAN    2 2 1 2 -7

Goals: Rowe (3), Palencia, Swoyer, Canonica.
Assists: Canonica (2), Gins.
Ejections Drawn: Rozas (3), Allen (3), Gins (2), Rowe (2).
Saves: Carter (12 svs., 7 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Rowe (5), Prickett (4), Rozas (2), Carter (2).
Sprints: Rowe (2-2), Allen (1-1), Canonica (0-1).
Record: 24-7