ANNAPOLIS, Md — George Washington University finished up the 2026 Navy Open hosted by the United States Naval Academy with a 3-2 mark and improved to 5-4 on the season as the Revolutionaries handled Long Island University, 14-13, Iona University, 18-10, and Division III No. 5-ranked Chapman University, 23-11, to go along with losses to No. 12 Princeton University, 23-11, and the United States Air Force Academy, 19-18 OT
Facing defending Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) Champion Princeton on Friday, September 4,, the Tigers dominated the second and third quarters to put the game out of reach for the Revolutionaries. GW and Princeton were tied at five-all after one quarter, but a 6-2 second quarter and 8-3 third quarter in favor of the Tigers created too big of a gap for GW to overcome.
The Revs’ first game on Saturday, September 5, was a display of back-and-forth action between the Revolutionaries and Long Island, as neither team held more than a three-goal advantage at any point in the game. GW scored first but was then hit with four straight goals by LIU to trail 4-1 in the first quarter. GW rallied and tied the game at six by halftime before taking a lead midway through the third quarter which the squad never relinquished.
Game two on September 5 was all Buff and Blue from the start versus Iona as the Revolutionaries rattled off five-straight scores to start the game, closing the first quarter at 8-1 and bringing a 12-5 lead into halftime. GW managed the clock and its lead effectively in the second quarter on its way to an eight-score versus the Gaels.
On September 6, the Buff and Blue wasted no time asserting itself against Chapman by sprinting out to an 8-3 lead after eight minutes of competition. A balanced attack by 12 different players held Chapman at bay throughout the contest.
Facing Air Force, George Washington dug out of a 6-3 deficit after one quarter to move within 10-9 by halftime and equaling matters going into the final eight minutes of regulation. Reigning Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Player of the Week Konstantinos Kapragkos (five goals) and junior attacker Antonio Florena (six goals) gave GW a chance to make it a 4-1 weekend, but a pair of Air Force goals to George Washington’s solo marker in extra time gave the win to the Falcons.
Information courtesy George Washington University Athletics Communications
