PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Brown University men’s water polo team moved to 17-5 on the season as the team split its final two games of the Harvard Invitational at home in the Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center. The Bears fell to No. 17-ranked the United States Naval Academy, 18-14, before bounding back with a 17-11 defeat of the University of California-Merced.
Ramzi Megalli and Colton Bell opened up the scoring for the Bears versus Navy, but the Midshipmen responded with a strong first quarter to take a 6-2 lead.
Brown found its rhythm offensively in the second quarter, as Roland Csendes, William Vranesh and Filip Josipovic each scored. However, Navy continued to build its lead, taking a 12-5 advantage into halftime.
Griffin Tunney and Csendes each scored to start the third quarter, with Csendes recording his second hat trick of the weekend. Oliver Chu found the back of the net to close out the quarter, while Navy recorded four goals.
The Bears mounted an offensive surge in the final eight minutes, outscoring Navy 5-2. Jaxson Tierney, Mac Berry and Tunney scored once, while Andrew Gao and Josipovic added late goals as the Bears fell 18-14. Will Corr started in goal for the Bears.
Brown bounced back in its second game of the day with a strong offensive start against UC-Merced. Hugo Molnar and Berry opened the scoring for the Bears, while Tunney added two goals in the first quarter. Berry and Csendes each scored again to help Brown establish early momentum.
The Bears continued to extend their lead in the second quarter, with Vranesh, Gao and Chu each scoring their first goals of the game. Csendes added another goal, while Tunney completed a hat-trick to help Brown take an 11-5 lead into halftime.
Brown maintained its offensive pressure in the third quarter, as Molnar, Megalli and Chu each scored. Robert Norell added his first goal of the weekend with 49 seconds remaining in the quarter, further extending the Bears’ advantage. Gao and Norell scored Brown’s only goals in the final quarter, but the Bears held firm defensively to secure the 17-11 victory and close out the tournament on a high note. Ryan Miele and Corr split time in goal for Brown.
Brown finished the Harvard Invite with a 3-1 record at home, including a victory over Division III No. 1 Pomona-Pitzer Colleges. Csendes led the Bears with 12 goals across four games, while Bell added eight, Berry contributed seven and Megalli tallied six.
Information courtesy Brown University Athletics Communications
