Sept. 10, 2005

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The No. 12-ranked Navy water polo scored two impressive wins over Southern Division league foes on Saturday at the Bucknell Invitational. Navy defeated No. 19 Johns Hopkins in the first game of the day, 13-5, then knocked off Bucknell, 11-6, in the nightcap. The wins move Navy's record to 4-2 overall, heading into tomorrow's games against Iona and Slippery Rock.

In the first game, Navy jumped out to a 4-2 cushion after one quarter, then led 7-3 at halftime. Leading 9-5 after three quarters, the Mids held the Bluejays scoreless in the fourth quarter to cruise home to the 13-5 victory. The Mids dominated on man-up opportunities, going 4-for-5, while holding Johns Hopkins scoreless on five extra-man chances. Senior Alex Ratcliffe (Coronado, Calif.) scored five goals for Navy. Jordan Gentry (San Antonio, Texas) and Andrew Bingham (Huntington Beach, Calif.) tallied two goals each. Four other players netted one goal. George Naughton (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) had a strong game in goal, making 11 saves.

In the second game, Navy jumped out to a 2-0 advantage after the first quarter and never looked back, defeating Bucknell, 11-6. Navy led 3-1 at halftime and 8-4 after three quarters. Sophomore Aaron Recko (San Antonio, Texas) led the Mids with three goals while Ratcliffe and Gentry netted two each. Four others scored one goal each. Naughton had another big game, stopping 12 shots and making two steals.

"We had a pretty good day," said Navy head coach Mike Schofield. "We played well in the first game, and played solid defense in the first half of the second game. We got a little sloppy in the second half, but it was good to get the league season off to a good start."

Navy will play Iona and Slippery Rock at 11:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m., on Sunday in Lewisburg, Pa.

# GO NAVY #