LEWISBURG, Pa. - The 2003 Bucknell men's water polo season will be an exciting one for many reasons. Possibly the biggest reason for the enthusiasm is the squad's first season in the brand new Arthur D. Kinney Jr. Natatorium, which opened in the late fall of 2002. The Bison are taking full advantage of the state of the art facility by hosting the Bucknell Invitational early in the season, and later in the year hosting the Southern Division Championship.
Another cause for anticipation for head coach John Zeigler's squad is the solid nucleus of returning players entering preseason, joining a small but talented group of three newcomers in sophomore Mark Stevenosky, and freshmen Michael McManigal and Robbie Soper. The Bison welcome back four of their top five scorers from a year ago, ensuring a potent offensive attack.
Leading the way for the Orange and Blue will be a pair of captains, senior Scott Afzal and junior Aaron Platshon. Afzal experienced a breakout season a year ago, more than doubling his previous career-high for goals in a season with 20 scores. He was tabbed the squad's Most Improved Player at the conclusion of the year.
Platshon returns to the squad after not competing last year. As a freshman, the defensive specialist led the team in steals with 56, while also scoring 18 goals and passing out 11 assists.
The offensive expectations are high for the trio of senior Jamie Saettele, junior Elliot Benoist and sophomore Bradley Roslyn. Benoist led the squad in scoring a year ago, finishing the season with 33 goals, a career-best 41 assists, and 74 points. He was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player at the end-of-year banquet.
Roslyn had an impact season as a rookie, finishing third on the team in goals scored (40), assists (31) and points (71), becoming just the sixth freshman in the history of the Bucknell program to reach 70 points in a season. The utility player will also prove valuable on defense, an area he excelled in last year, finishing second on the squad with 53 steals, and aptly earning the team's Rookie of the Year award.
Saettele finished fifth with 40 goals and 23 assists for 63 points. The 2-meter player led the team with 38 ejections drawn, and surpassed the 100 career-goals mark during the season.
Junior Jay Danforth will join Platshon as a defensive specialist and looks to become a top scorer on offense. Danforth, named the team's Defensive MVP last season, has reached the 50 steal mark in his first two seasons, including a team-best 75 thefts a year ago. He is also more than capable offensively, finishing last year fourth in scoring with career-high's for goals (34), assists (32) and points (66).
Juniors Nick Ferring and Paul Yerkes, and sophomores Brad Unroe and Lars Weborg will also be counted on for consistent contributions. Ferring, Yerkes and Weborg are all drivers, while Unroe specializes in defense.
Like Platshon, Ferring returns after taking a season off. As a freshman, he scored eight times and assisted on 12 others for 20 points. Yerkes, the younger brother of 2003 graduate and tri-captain Adam Yerkes, saw time in all but one game a year ago, scoring five goals and adding 13 assists. Weborg was active in 27 of 30 games, contributing four goals and two assists.
Expected to battle for a starting position in the net will be sophomore Trevor Mullins and McManigal. Mullins served in the backup goalkeeping position last year, playing in seven games and starting three of those. He stopped 44 would-be scores, while allowing 62 for a .415 save percentage.
The Bison open the year at the always competitive Navy Labor Day Invitational, before returning home to host the eight-team Bucknell Invitational. The team's first test against conference opponents comes on September 20-21, when the Orange and Blue travel to Navy again for the first set of Southern Division League Games.
After attending the ECAC Championship the following weekend, Bucknell heads west for its annual fall break trip to California. While at the Claremont Convergence, BU will take on several west coast squads which are often nationally ranked, preparing the team for the final push through the schedule.
Another set of league games follows, before the Bison host the Southern Division Championship, the first time in Kinney Natatorium, on October 31-November 2.
For a team that posted a 10-20 overall record a year ago, the 2003 Bucknell men's water polo team is confident that a winning record is attainable this season. The veterans are all aware of their role on the team, and the rookies are coming in ready to contribute, making the fast approaching season an exciting time for all involved with the program.
http://bucknellbison.ocsn.com/sports/m-wpolo/spec-rel/082403aaa.html
Another cause for anticipation for head coach John Zeigler's squad is the solid nucleus of returning players entering preseason, joining a small but talented group of three newcomers in sophomore Mark Stevenosky, and freshmen Michael McManigal and Robbie Soper. The Bison welcome back four of their top five scorers from a year ago, ensuring a potent offensive attack.
Leading the way for the Orange and Blue will be a pair of captains, senior Scott Afzal and junior Aaron Platshon. Afzal experienced a breakout season a year ago, more than doubling his previous career-high for goals in a season with 20 scores. He was tabbed the squad's Most Improved Player at the conclusion of the year.
Platshon returns to the squad after not competing last year. As a freshman, the defensive specialist led the team in steals with 56, while also scoring 18 goals and passing out 11 assists.
The offensive expectations are high for the trio of senior Jamie Saettele, junior Elliot Benoist and sophomore Bradley Roslyn. Benoist led the squad in scoring a year ago, finishing the season with 33 goals, a career-best 41 assists, and 74 points. He was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player at the end-of-year banquet.
Roslyn had an impact season as a rookie, finishing third on the team in goals scored (40), assists (31) and points (71), becoming just the sixth freshman in the history of the Bucknell program to reach 70 points in a season. The utility player will also prove valuable on defense, an area he excelled in last year, finishing second on the squad with 53 steals, and aptly earning the team's Rookie of the Year award.
Saettele finished fifth with 40 goals and 23 assists for 63 points. The 2-meter player led the team with 38 ejections drawn, and surpassed the 100 career-goals mark during the season.
Junior Jay Danforth will join Platshon as a defensive specialist and looks to become a top scorer on offense. Danforth, named the team's Defensive MVP last season, has reached the 50 steal mark in his first two seasons, including a team-best 75 thefts a year ago. He is also more than capable offensively, finishing last year fourth in scoring with career-high's for goals (34), assists (32) and points (66).
Juniors Nick Ferring and Paul Yerkes, and sophomores Brad Unroe and Lars Weborg will also be counted on for consistent contributions. Ferring, Yerkes and Weborg are all drivers, while Unroe specializes in defense.
Like Platshon, Ferring returns after taking a season off. As a freshman, he scored eight times and assisted on 12 others for 20 points. Yerkes, the younger brother of 2003 graduate and tri-captain Adam Yerkes, saw time in all but one game a year ago, scoring five goals and adding 13 assists. Weborg was active in 27 of 30 games, contributing four goals and two assists.
Expected to battle for a starting position in the net will be sophomore Trevor Mullins and McManigal. Mullins served in the backup goalkeeping position last year, playing in seven games and starting three of those. He stopped 44 would-be scores, while allowing 62 for a .415 save percentage.
The Bison open the year at the always competitive Navy Labor Day Invitational, before returning home to host the eight-team Bucknell Invitational. The team's first test against conference opponents comes on September 20-21, when the Orange and Blue travel to Navy again for the first set of Southern Division League Games.
After attending the ECAC Championship the following weekend, Bucknell heads west for its annual fall break trip to California. While at the Claremont Convergence, BU will take on several west coast squads which are often nationally ranked, preparing the team for the final push through the schedule.
Another set of league games follows, before the Bison host the Southern Division Championship, the first time in Kinney Natatorium, on October 31-November 2.
For a team that posted a 10-20 overall record a year ago, the 2003 Bucknell men's water polo team is confident that a winning record is attainable this season. The veterans are all aware of their role on the team, and the rookies are coming in ready to contribute, making the fast approaching season an exciting time for all involved with the program.
http://bucknellbison.ocsn.com/sports/m-wpolo/spec-rel/082403aaa.html
