PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Long Island University men’s water polo team opened its season with victories over Wagner College, 16-15 OT, Gannon University, 14-13, and Connecticut College, 19-7, along with a loss to the United States Air Force Academy, 18-16, marking the best start to a season in program history.
On Saturday, August 29, LIU claimed its first win of the 2026 season in dramatic fashion, taking down Wagner College 16-15 in double overtime, claiming both the program’s first win in a season-opener and its first against the Seahawks. The Sharks held a 10-6 advantage over Wagner in the first half, aided by three first-half goals by freshman Sebastiano Figari, though a fourth-quarter Seahawk surge tied the score at 13-all prior to the conclusion of regulation.
Wagner claimed a 14-13 lead midway through the first overtime period before sophomore Dylan Rothenberg responded to the game at 14. With the Sharks on the power play, a goal by junior Jack French put LIU ahead 16-15 to post the team’s first victory of the season.
French led LIU with five goals, while Figari and Rothenberg netted a hat trick in the win. Junior Thomaz Figueiredo and sophomore Mark Malamud each scored a pair of goals, while sophomore Francisco de Zengotita Rodriguez tacked on an additional tally.
Long Island continued its winning ways in a 14-13 defeat of Gannon University, led by a career-high five goals from Rothenberg. French netted a hat trick in the win, while Figari tallied on a pair of goals. Junior Csanad Varga, de Zengotita Rodriguez, sophomore Mark Malamud and freshman Oliver Knoflick each scored once in the win to conclude action on August 29.
On Sunday, August 30, the Sharks grabbed an early 4-0 lead over Connecticut College and rode out that momentum for a 19-7 win. Figari led the way with four goals, followed by three from French and a pair courtesy sophomore Lucas Ramirez, Varga, Malamud. Figueiredo, sophomore Blake Duggan, Rothenberg, sophomore Maddex Thornton and freshman Oliver Knoflick each contributed solo markers to cut down the Camels.
Long Island’s three-game winning streak came to an end in the team’s final game of the weekend versus Air Force. In a back-and-forth contest between the Sharks and Falcons, Figari led the Sharks with seven goals, followed by three from French and two goals by Figueiredo. Ramirez, Rothenberg, Malamud and Knoflick each scored once in the loss.
Information courtesy Long Island University Athletics Communications
