ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Richie Hyden (Melbourne, Australia/Greenwich (Conn.)) scored a team-high five goals and dished out two assists, but it was not enough offense as the No. 18 Bucknell University men’s water polo team suffered its first loss of the young season Sunday morning at the Navy Open against Queens College (N.Y.), dropping a 15-14 decision. The Knights registered six goals in the first quarter, equaling the number of first-half goals the Bison yielded in two games Saturday.

With it still the first weekend of play in the regular season, Bucknell third-year head coach John Abdou substituted liberally as two freshmen appeared in the starting lineup and three others saw significant playing time. Additionally, Hyden came off the bench for a second straight game, and fellow senior co-captain Sean Coghlan (Chicago, Ill./Brother Rice) is out this weekend.

Bucknell’s (2-1) offense, which generated 40 goals in two wins on Saturday, continued to click as Brian Barron (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick) contributed three goals and freshman Mike Kimble (Lafayette, Calif./Acalanes) found the back of the net twice. Barron also added a career-high five steals and one ejection drawn.

The game was close throughout as Queens (2-1) held a slim 6-5 lead at the end of the high-scoring first quarter. The Bison evened the score at 8-8 going into halftime and the score remained tied at 11 following three periods. The Knights then outscored Bucknell 4-3 in the final quarter to secure the victory.

Hyden’s offensive outburst helped him move up the program’s career top-10 lists for goals, assists and points. He entered the game 10th in career goals, but now resides in ninth place with 191. He moved into 10th place in both assists (126) and points (317). Hyden, who already has 11 goals and a pair of assists this weekend, has the potential to finish his career in the top five of all three categories.

Miles Gilhuly (Orinda, Calif./Miramonte) played a third consecutive complete game in goal and recorded eight saves. He now has 25 stops on the season and he saw his career total soar past 250.

Queens’ victory helped narrow Bucknell’s advantage in the all-time series to 15-14.

Release courtesy Bucknell Athletic Communications