Lewisburg, PA – The Wagner men's water polo team completed the first day at the Bison Invitational on the campus of MAWPC rival Bucknell University on Saturday. They finished with a 2-0 record over two games defeating Salem University and #15 Bucknell University.
Wagner (19) vs. Salem University (13)
Wagner's first opponent was Division II Salem University. The Tigers and Seahawks battled to a 3-3 conclusion to the opening eight minutes. The Seahawks pulled away in the second with a 4-0 run and Salem never recovered as Wagner took an 8-6 lead into the break. Junior Oliver Fodor and sophomore Zsombor Gyemant tallied two goals apiece in the first half.
The second half opened at a rapid pace as both teams traded goals, Fodor completed a hat trick in the third quarter alone and fifth-year
Jack Leighton scored twice to bring his game total to four. The third quarter ended with Wagner holding a 13-9 lead before they opened the fourth with a 4-0 run with goals from freshman
Mattia Bognolo, Oliver Fodor,
Jack Leighton, and freshman
Kyle Chambers who scored the first in his Wagner career. This run brought the game to a 17-9 Seahawk advantage before the Green & White prevailed 17-9. Fodor finished with six goals and Leighton finished with five in the victory.
Wagner (14) vs. #15 Bucknell (12)
Wagner got off on the right foot to begin MAWPC play as they defeated Bucknell for the first time in program history. Seven different goal scorers contributed for Wagner, anchored by Oliver Fodor who netted five. This is the sixth time this season he has scored at least five goals in a game, he also drew seven exclusions for Wagner. Sophomore Zsombor Gyemant netted a goal of his own and contributed five assists.
The difference for the Green & White in this one was the outburst in the second quarter. After the first frame ended deadlocked at 4-4 Wagner outscored the Bison 5-2 to bring a 9-6 lead into the half. Bucknell outscored Wagner 6-5 in the final 16 minutes but it wasn't enough as the Seahawks refused to squander their lead and preserved their lead they built.
This contest was the ninth straight game Wagner scored over 10 goals and the fifth win in six games. Also, this is the second consecutive weekend the Seahawks have defeated a nationally ranked opponent. The Green & White be back in the pool tomorrow to battle #20 Fordham at 9:00 A.M. and Mercyhurst at 1:30 P.M. available at CWPATV.com
