CAMBRIDGE, Mass./PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Wagner College men’s water polo team finished 2-2 at the 2025 Harvard Invitational as the Seahawks dropped games to No. 19-ranked/host Harvard University, 16-13, and host Brown University, 10-9, while picking up victories over Division III No. 8 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 13-7, and Long Island University, 16-9.
On Saturday, October 18, at Harvard’s Blodgett Pool, Wagner opened competition in an offensive duel versus the host Crimson.
Harvard jumped ahead early, taking advantage on fast transitions to take a 3-2 lead midway through the first quarter. Wagner responded with goals from freshman Landon Castillo, senior captain Laszlo Strasser and freshman Nadav Carmon to close the gap to 6-3 by the end of the opening frame.
The Seahawks scored at the beginning the second quarter behind another finish from sophomore Matt Wedlock, then sophomore Smith Connors added another to keep the game within reach. Harvard then pushed the lead to four more goals at halftime. Wagner’s defense settled in toward the end of the half with a key stop from sophomore goalkeeper Ian Conway.
The Green & White came out of halftime energized. Strasser scored his second goal, while junior Patrick Ray scored for the first time during the game right after. Carmon and Connors added their second goals. The Seahawks cut into the deficit before the end of the frame, which ended with a 12-10 lead for the Crimson. The final quarter featured fast-paced exchanges at both ends. Friedenberg continued his standout morning, completing a hat trick, while Ray added another to round out his two-goal performance. Despite the late push, Harvard’s depth proved decisive as they sealed the 16-13 victory.
Conway recorded three saves in the contest, keeping Wagner within striking distance throughout much of the match.
Facing MIT, the Seahawks wasted no time asserting control in game two. Castillo struck first for the Green & White before Carmon, Friedenberg and Connors extended the lead before freshman Kelly Murphy added another tally. Wagner’s ball movement created clean looks on the perimeter, and the defense limited MIT’s second-chance opportunities. The Seahawks led 5-2 after eight minutes of action.
Wagner continued to push offensively in the second frame — Connors connected on a pair of goals and Ray added another. The Seahawks entered halftime with an 8-4 lead.
The Green & White defense shined in the third quarter, holding MIT to just two goals. Carmon tallied two more goals, completing his hat trick, and Castillo capitalized on a toughen up opportunity, extending Wagner’s lead to a total of 11-6 entering the final frame.
MIT mounted a brief push in the fourth quarter, but Wagner’s composure kept the game in control. Castillo and Connors each found the back of the net again, sealing the 13-7 victory.
On Sunday, October 19, the Seahawks got off to a strong start versus host Brown at the Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center, to open the scoring three minutes into the match with a goal from Castillo. Friedenberg followed with a strike from the perimeter before Carmon added another to give Wagner a 3-1 lead midway through the first quarter. The offensive tempo continued into the second quarter as Connors found the back of the net at the end of the opening eight minutes. Carmon helped with the advantage scoring again in the last seconds of the quarter, however, Brown capitalized on power plays late to even the score at five-all heading into halftime.
The third quarter saw both sides trade goals in a defensive battle. Junior Vince Varga and Connors added goals for Wagner, but the Bears managed to keep the score even at seven-all entering the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, the Seahawks showed a fight, as Carmon netted his third of the day and Wedlock scored as well. Despite drawing several exclusions and a strong finish from the defense, the Seahawks could not find an equalizer in the closing seconds and fell narrowly, 10-9.
In the weekend finale versus fellow New York institution Long Island, the Seahawks delivered a commanding performance to secure a 16-9 win.
LIU opened the scoring but Wagner responded with back-to-back goals from Castillo. Friedenberg struck at the end of the first quarter to regain the lead, and Castillo added the last goal three seconds before the end of the frame to provide Wagner a 4-2 edge heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Connors got Wagner rolling early with a goal. Carmon continued his strong showing, scoring twice more in the quarter. LIU managed to stay in the game with multiple goals, but Wagner’s defense held firm, and the Seahawks led 8-5 at halftime.
The third quarter saw Wagner maintain their momentum. Carmon and Strasser added goals, and Wagner’s defense continued to frustrate LIU’s attack.
In the fourth quarter, LIU answered with a pair of goals but Wagner surged ahead with a flurry of goals from Wedlock, Connors and Strasser. Varga scored twice to seal the win.
Release courtesy Wagner College Athletics Communications
