PRINCETON, N.J. — George Washington University notched three victories at the 2022 Princeton University Invitational to extend the program’s winning streak to six games. The Buff & Blue topped Division III No. 3-ranked California Lutheran University, 12-8, No. 18 St. Francis College Brooklyn, 14-13 in overtime, and Iona University, 15-9, to raise their record to 6-1 on the year.
Reigning Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Player of the Week Theodoros Pateros matched his 15-goal outburst from the opening weekend of the season in one fewer game. Pateros has recorded at least three goals in every game this year, including a six-goal effort versus Cal Lutheran and a five-goal match against Iona.
Antonin Kralj scored five goals, including the game-winner versus St. Francis Brooklyn, to set a new career-high, while Mateus Stellet keyed the win over Iona with a GW-best four goals and two assists.
Luca Castorina was steady in net, making 40 saves across the three matches with a .571 save percentage.
The weekend opened on Saturday, September 10, with a back-and-forth battle against the nationally-ranked Kingsmen of Cal Lutheran. The Buff & Blue broke open the early tie with three straight goals in the middle of the second quarter, ultimately taking a 7-4 lead into the break.
Pateros was the story of the game for GW as the graduate student scored six times in the game, helping the Colonials stay on top.
Castorina notched a season-high 20 saves in net to keep the Kingsmen at bay as the Buff & Blue maintained at least a three-goal lead during the second half.
George Washington claimed its first win over a National Top 20 opponent by defeating St. Francis Brooklyn with a pair of markers in the extra session. Pateros put GW ahead, 13-12, in OT before Kralj gave GW separation with his fifth marker of the game.
Kralj had tied the game for GW with nine seconds remaining in regulation as part of his career-high, five-goal effort. Neither team led by more than two in the match as GW built an 8-6 lead at the break, only to see the Terriers even things up heading to the final frame.
Along with Kralj’s five goals, Pateros scored four more tallies, marking his fifth straight game with at least four goals.
Facing Iona, the Buff & Blue pulled away with a 10-goal second half to secure the weekend sweep. Trailing 4-3 late in the second quarter, Pateros tallied consecutive markers to send GW into the locker room up 5-4.
Iona drew within two, 10-8, early in the fourth quarter but GW scored five consecutive goals in the next five minutes to put things away for the program’s sixth consecutive win.
Information courtesy George Washington University Athletics Communications
