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Bucknell Powers Past George Washington 11-8 in CWPA Southern Division Opener
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The George Washington University women's water polo team led 7-5 late in the second quarter, but a costly giveaway turned into a Bucknell University goal at the halftime buzzer and the Bison rode the momentum to a 5-1 edge in the second half to defeat the Colonials, 11-8, in both teams' CWPA Southern Division opener at Charles E. Smith Center Pool.
Sophomore Allison Peotter scored two of her team-high three goals in the opening 1:12 to spot GW an early 2-0 lead. Bucknell quickly evened the score at 2-2 and the teams' traded goals over the final 78 seconds to remain knotted at 3-3 after a quarter of play.
The Colonials and Bison continued to share goals over the first 4:54 of the second quarter, with the hosts answering a pair of man-advantage tallies with extra-player strikes to stay tied at 5-5 with 3:06 left in the half. Senior Marissa Stamler put GW ahead 6-5 at the 2:27 mark and classmate Tara Sullivan netted a third man-up goal of the period with 23 seconds to grab a 7-5 lead.
With time winding down in the half, however, Stamler attempted a long outlet following a steal, but the pass was errant and Hallie Kennan beat junior goalkeeper Charlotte Schou at the halftime horn to pull the Bison within 7-6 at the break.
Bucknell took control with a 4-0 third-quarter run with goals from Valentina Rozas, Shana Palencia, Amanda Skonezney and Kennan and a penalty block on sophomore Monica Hanson by goalkeeper Alison Carter, who finished with 12 saves.
GW had chances to get going in the third period, but Hanson's failed five-meter coupled with back-to-back shots into posts derailed any attempt at a comeback.
Rozas extended the Bison lead to 11-7 with 6:41 remaining, but Peotter completed her hat trick with a man-up goal with 3:57 to play to slice the deficit to 11-8. Schou turned away a penalty attempt near the 3:00 mark, but the Colonials couldn't get any closer.
Peotter finished with four points on three goals and an assist and added four steals. Sullivan chipped in two goals, an assist and four steals, while Stamler and Hanson had a goal and two assists apiece.
Kandis Canonica and Kennan each scored three goals to pace Bucknell (6-5, 1-0 CWPA Southern Division), which avenged a 12-11 overtime loss to GW in last April's CWPA Southern Division Championship.
The Colonials converted 3-of-5 man-up opportunities, but finished just 8-of-26 shooting overall.
Release courtesy George Washington Athletic Communications
