BRONX/STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Nick Schroeder ‘s go-ahead goal with 52 seconds remaining helped George Washington University men’s water complete a comeback to beat Wagner College, 12-11, at the Spiro Sports Center and earn a split of a Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC)-East Region doubleheader in New York. The Colonials fell at No. 17-ranked Fordham University, 15-7, earlier in the day.
Schroeder, Andras Levai and Viktor Jovanovic scored four goals apiece across the two games for GW, which now sits at 4-1 in conference play.
After falling into a 4-0 hole less than three minutes into the game, the Buff and Blue hung tough to defeat the Seahawks of Wagner.
George Washington trailed by three goals early in the second half before consecutive scores from Schroeder, Jovanovic and Levai tied the game at three-all late in the third quarter.
The teams traded goals to begin in the fourth quarter with the Seahawks going on top at 11-10 on Oliver Fodor ‘s strike with 2:06 to play. The Buff and Blue answered back quickly via a goal from Andrija Sekulic and then got a defensive stand to set up Schroeder’s game-winner.
Wagner came up empty on the ensuing possession and then had just one second left when it got the ball back again.
Jovanovic was a force in the middle for the Buff and Blue with three goals and a career-high six ejections drawn, while Schroeder and Levai both added three scores.
Sekulic posted two goals and three assists in the victory, while DJ Davis added a goal, an assist and three field blocks.
After a rough start against Wagner, Luca Castorina settled in to tally 10 saves and a pair of steals in the GW net.
In the opener versus the nationally-ranked Rams, Fordham scored the game’s first three goals to build an early lead and pushed out their advantage after halftime to claim the home victory at Messmore Aquatic Center.
After GW edged within 5-3 on a Jovanovic tally early in the second period, Fordham scored the next eight goals. The home team held the Buff and Blue scoreless for more than 17 minutes during a run that stretched into the fourth period.
Bruno Rebessi scored three late goals for his first career hat trick, while Levai tallied a goal, an assist, two steals and two field blocks. Jovanovic, Schroeder and Logan Kalish also contributed goals against the Rams.
Castorina made 13 saves and added two steals in the opener.
Release courtesy George Washington University Athletics Communications
