On Saturday, Jan. 24, the Bison kicked off their season with three intense faceoffs at the Princeton Invite. Although day 1 began with a 17-10 loss against Wagner, the Orange and Blue left in high spirits after a close 9-8 win against Siena on Saturday and a 10-9 win against La Salle on Sunday, Jan. 25.
Wagner Game Highlights
At the end of the 2024 Women’s Patriot League water polo season, Wagner finished with a 30-5 record and made the first round of the NCAA Championship. Nevertheless, the Bison showed the Seahawks every ounce of talent and strength they possessed. The game kicked off with a goal by Caitlin Stott ’27, but it wasn’t long before the Seahawks took the lead with two consecutive goals. The Orange and Blue didn’t give up without a fight and Ashley Hopper ’28 and Bella Schraa ’26 scored two straight goals.
The Seahawks clinched the win for good with seven goals in the second quarter in comparison with only one goal scored by Schraa, her second of the game. Heading into the second half, the Seahawks quickly upped their lead with two more goals leaving the score at 11-4. Although Olivia Hopper ’28 managed two goals and Campbell Collins ’27 managed one at the end of the third quarter, Wagner ultimately outscored the Orange and Blue by 6-3 in the last portion of the game. Izzy Lippolis ’25 and Hopper also deserved honorable mention for their goals in the last quarter leaving the final score at 17-10.
Siena Game Highlights
The Bison didn’t let their loss against Wagner stop them as they entered the second game of the day. The team showed off particular talent during this game as each of the nine goals were scored by nine different players.
As the teams jumped into the first quarter, Siena quickly reached a 3-0 lead before a goal from Stott. The score then increased for both teams to 4-2 thanks to a goal by Gwen Kallmeyer ’26. Before the half, Hopper and Anna Plante ’26 were able to lend two more goals to the Bison total. Then, the Orange and Blue entered the third period with fervor thanks to three goals from Schraa, Collins and Boati Motau ’25. In the final portion of the game, Bucknell officially secured the win thanks to goals by Hopper and Lippolis.
La Salle Highlights
Bison Women’s Water Polo made history this past weekend after their first winning weekend since 2022, securing the 10-9 win over La Salle in overtime. Even after La Salle tied up the score after two goals at the end of the fourth quarter, the Bison kept up the fight and scored two goals compared to the Explorers’ 1.
Bucknell kept up their show of talent from last game as nine different players scored nine out of the 10 goals. Before the half, the Bison experienced goals from Motau, Lippolis and Hopper, leaving the score at 3-3 going into the break. As the teams entered into the third quarter, the Bison outscored the Explorers 3-1 thanks to goals scored by Schraa, Sidney Finkler ’25 and Stott. Finally, the Bison held the lead 8-6 after goals from Lippolis and Lehua Bender ’27. It wasn’t until the last few minutes that La Salle had two consecutive goals, tying up the score and sending the game into overtime with just 2:31 left in the game.
It was finally Collins and Hopper that secured the win for the Bison leading them through most of overtime at a 10-8 advantage. In the last 1:50, La Salle managed one more goal, but it wasn’t enough to give them the win.
Lookout for Women’s Water Polo’s next game at the VMI invite this Saturday, Feb. 1.