The women dominated Bucknell in the first half, breaking out to a 5-1 lead. The Colonials scored one more and entered the second half with a 6-2 lead. But Bucknell came roaring back in the second half to pull out the victory.

“It became a battle in the fourth quarter,” said goalkeeper Lisa Greenfield, a junior transfer. “At that point it became more like a swim meet. You’re swimming back and forth, and you’re trying so hard and nobody is scoring. It was tied and something needed to happen.”

Coach Scott Reed said he was disappointed the team surrendered a substantial lead.

“We weren’t playing our own game,” he said. “We were playing into their hands. There was some inexperience out there with three freshmen. It happens.”

In the second half, Bucknell changed its strategy and the Colonials could not figure it out.

“I think we got comfortable having a solid lead,” co-captain Heather Walenga said. “We’re still pretty young and we’re trying to get the kinks out. Bucknell adjusted their defense and we didn’t adjust well to it.”

The Colonials lost just one starter from last year. Walenga will share the captain role with Maureen Hunter. The team used a strong defense and a balanced attack to propel it into the playoffs last season. Walenga scored 54 goals, and both Ashley Pyka and Nell Friar notched 49 goals.

The team is coming off a successful first season, with a record of 11-13 overall and 5-3 in the Collegiate Water Polo Association. The team reached the playoffs and placed third in the Mid-Atlantic Championships and tenth in the Eastern Championships.

Next week the team travels to Villanova University where they will play Bucknell, Princeton University and the host Wildcats.