Feb. 17, 2001

Villanova, Pa. - On Saturday, February 17, the Villanova Wildcat water polo team hosted the Villanova Invitational at the Villanova Swim Center. After dropping a heartbreaking 13-9 decision to George Washington, Villanova returned to the pool just two hours later to do battle with another Mid-Atlantic Conference foe in Bucknell. The Bison left Villanova victorious, improving their record to 1-1 overall and 1-1 in the Mid-Atlantic Conference with the 17-15 victory. The loss drops Villanova to 0-6 overall and 0-2 in the conference.

The first half saw Bucknell tally first, before Alisa Demmin recorded her first goal of the season only 32 seconds after the Bison score. Villanova scored next when Erin Agee tallied her first goal of the game at 3:36 in the first quarter, to give Villanova its first lead of the game. The Bison retaliated 24 seconds later to tie the game at 2-2. Agee then took back control of the game, netting two goals just 26 seconds apart. A late goal by Bucknell narrowed their deficit to one at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter Bucknell again struck first, scoring with only 16 seconds expired on the clock. Agee again responded netting her fourth goal of the game. The Bison took control for the next four minutes, striking three times to regain the lead over Villanova, 7-5. Trailing by two, Villanova's Carrie Boyle threw down the gauntlet scoring twice to tie the game at 7-7. Another last second goal by Bucknell gave them the lead at the half.

With just 46 seconds expired in the second half, the Bison tallied again to increase their lead to two, 9-7. Villanova outscored Bucknell over the next three minutes three to two to cut the Bison advantage to 11-10. Netting goals in the stretch for the Wildcats were Boyle, two goals, and Kelly Ganz, one goal. After seeing their lead dwindle to one, Bucknell took control. The Bison tallied twice to stretch their lead to 13-10. A late goal by Boyle allowed Villanova to cut the lead to two at the end of third quarter.

Trailing and in search of their first win, Villanova saw Boyle step to the forefront. She scored two quick goals in the quarter's opening minute, after an initial tally by Bucknell. Down 14-13, the Wildcats needed Boyle to step up again and she did as she answered another Bucknell score with her eighth goal of the game. Unfortunately for Villanova, the Bison stepped up their play as well. The Bison were able to score two late goals to hold off Villanova. Villanova managed a late tally by Agee, her fifth of the game, with 58 seconds remaining to cut the lead to 17-15. However, time would expire and Bucknell left victorious 17-15.

Box ScoreTeam        1   2   3   4   Final

Villanova   4   3   4   4   15Bucknell    3   5   5   4   17

Goals: Villanova 15 (Boyle 8, Agee 5, Ganz 1, Demmin 1), Bucknell 17 ( McLaughlin 6, Schober 5, Rea 2, Stahler 2, Hofstetter 1, Cull 1), Ejections: Villanova 1 (Boyle 1), Bucknell 8 (Schober 1, Hofstetter 2, Cull 1, Stahler 1, Rea 1, Hernandez 1, Clarke 1), Timeouts: Villanova 3, Bucknell 3.