Bucknell Women's Water Polo Falls 8-3 to Princeton in Southern Championships Title Game

Blitzer, Keffer and Gins Net Goals for Bison

Cody Keffer was one of three Bison to score goals during an 8-3 loss to Princeton in the Southern Championships title game.

April 24, 2005

Complete Southern Championships Results

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Already guaranteed its best-ever finish at the Southern Championships, the host and second-seeded Bucknell women's water polo team went after its first title at the event Sunday at Kinney Natatorium, but came up short losing to top-seeded Princeton in the championship game 8-3.

Despite the loss, the Bison (22-9) still eclipsed their third-place finishes in 2000 and 2004 for their best-ever showing at the Southern Championships. By finishing in the top two, Bucknell automatically qualified for the Eastern Championships next weekend in Bloomington, Ind. Eight teams will participate in the event with the champion earning an automatic berth to the NCAA Championships.

The Bison struggled against the Tigers as they did not score until Meg Blitzer found the back of the net with 6:17 remaining in the game. By that time Princeton had built a 6-0 lead.

The Tigers extended their lead back to six goals two minutes later when Courtney Mee scored her first goal of the contest. Cody Keffer and Meagan Gins did score on back-to-back possessions for the Bison with nearly two minutes on the clock to draw within four goals for the first time since early in the third quarter, but Princeton extended the lead to 8-3 with the final goal of the game in the final minute.

Bucknell is expected to find out its seeding and opponent for next weekend's Eastern Championships on Monday. The two-day event starts Saturday morning, April 30.

PRINCETON 0 3 3 2 -- 8
BUCKNELL 0 0 0 3 -- 3

Goals: Blitzer, Keffer, Gins.