LA JOLLA, Calif. — The George Washington University water polo team began its 2025 campaign with a 2-0 record on the first day of the 2025 Triton Invitational hosted by the University of California-San Diego. The Revolutionaries claimed their first ranked win of the season in a defensive battle versus No. 15-ranked the University of California-Santa Barbara, 8-4, before handling Occidental College. 20-8.
GW led wire-to-wire in the program’s season opener versus the nationally-ranked Gauchos by opening the scoring just over a minute in and never ceding the lead. George Washington took a 4-2 lead into halftime before UC-Santa Barbara cut the score to 4-3 early in the third quarter.
The Gauchos were unable to move closer as the Buff & Blue rattled off a 4-1 run to close the game and secure the win.
Adonis Vlassis, GW’s leading scorer from a year ago, led the Revolutionaries with five goals, while Antonio Florena supported with two goals. Graduate transfer Vasilije Marinkovic rattled off 18 saves in his first start in goal.
The victory marks GW’s first ranked win since taking down then No. 20 the United States Naval Academy on October 25, 2024.
Facing Occidental, which is receiving votes in the Division III preseason poll, George Washington had the recipe for success with another quality start that led to victory in game two.
After leading 5-2 through the first eight minutes, GW tore off a 6-0 run versus Occidental that spanned the entire second quarter to command an 11-2 lead at halftime.
George Washington kept its foot on the pedal in the second half, outscoring the Tigers, 9-6, to complete an unbeaten opening day of the 2025 season.
Vlassis led the charge again with six goals and five steals. First-years Anthony Ferneini (three goals), Andrea Forno (three goals) and Evan Agapiou (one goal) each registered their first career points.
Information courtesy George Washington University Athletics Communications
