COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Mount St. Mary’s University men’s water polo split a doubleheader at the United States Air Force Academy’s Rare Air Challenge as the Mountaineers fell to Biola University, 13-10, and clipped the wing of Division III No. 1-ranked the University of Redlands, 17-15.
Against Biola, the Mountaineers stretched out to a 2-1 lead in the first quarter, with Jack Fox and Wes Reising scoring the opening efforts for the Mount. Aidan Zieger, Nate Valentine and Alexandros Belesis found the net in the second quarter as the Mountaineers went into halftime down by a 6-5 score.
Gunner Lanquist continued his good run of form in the third quarter, scoring a goal followed by a hat trick completing two goals from Belesis to enter the fourth quarter trailing 10-8. Belesis along with Aaron Tarr found the net in the forth quarter, rounding out the final efforts in a loss to the Eagles.
In game two against defending USA Water Polo Division III National Champion Redlands, the Mountaineers jumped out to a 5-4 lead thanks to a first quarter hat trick from Belesis and solo goals by Nikolaos Agritelis and Ioannis Skliras. The second quarter yielded another three goals from Belesis as well as solo strikes from Tarr and Valentine to build the Mount’s lead to 10-7 going into halftime.
Skliras opened up the Mountaineers’ scoring in the third quarter prior to Belesis putting away another marker. The two Greeks went onto score three more goals in the quarter, including a first ever Mount hat trick for Skliras, to take a 15-11 lead into the final quarter.
Redlands scored quick to start the final eight minutes, but goals from Valentine and Tarr stifled any legitimate attempt at the lead ensuring the first Mountaineers’ win of 2025.
Belesis finished with eight goals against Redlands to go along with a pair of assists. Skliras notched his first Mount hat trick with a four goal afternoon. Sherif Hosni made seven saves in cage to collect his inaugural victory of the season.
Information courtesy Mount St. Mary’s University Athletics Communications
