No. 15 Fordham University Three-Peats as Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference Champion by Sinking No. 18 United States Naval Academy, 12-10

No. 15 Fordham University-vs-No. 18 United States Naval Academy Scoresheet (2023 Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference Championship – Game 10/Championship Game)

LEWISBURG, Pa. — Heading into the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Championship final on Sunday, November 19, the No. 15-ranked Fordham University Rams had history on their mind, as they looked to become the first East Coast squad since the United Stats Naval Academy to win three consecutive championships since the Midshipmen achieved the feat during the 2006-08 seasons.  The Rams did make that history, defeating the No. 18 Midshipmen, 12-10, for the MAWPC Championship at Bucknell’s Kinney Natatorium.

With the win, Fordham secures the MAWPC’s automatic bid into the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship for the third straight season.

“Winning three straight championships is very difficult,” said head coach Brian Bacharach. “Our guys worked hard today, stuck to the script, and executed big time in the fourth quarter.  I’m so proud of our guys for their effort today and all season long.”

In the third match-up this season between Fordham and Navy, the script was the same as the first two meetings – an extremely tight match that came down to the final quarter.

Fordham got out to the quick start, getting goals from Luca Silvestri and Jacopo Parrella for a 2-0 lead with Balazs Berenyi making it 3-1 in favor of the Rams.  Navy picked up the next two goals, but Lucas Nieto Jasny scored with 22 seconds left to put Fordham back on top, 4-3, at the end of the first quarter.

The Midshipmen flipped the script in the second quarter behind two goals by Kiefer Black as they grabbed a 6-5 lead, but Fordham again had a late answer, as Christos Loupakis netted an extra-man goal with 54 seconds left to knot the game at six.

Each team scored twice in the third quarter to set up the deciding fourth quarter all tied at eight.  After exchanging goals to start the frame, Silvestri netted his second goal of the game at the 5:38 mark to put Fordham on top, 10-9.  Thomas Lercari then made his presence felt, stopping multiple Navy shots to give Fordham a chance to extend the lead.

The Rams got the all-important two-goal edge with 3:04 left when Nieto Jasny netted his second marker of the contest.  Fordham put together some stellar defense in the final three minutes and got another tally from Silvestri to lock up the 12-10 win.

Fordham’s George Papanikolaou was selected as the Championship’s MVP, while Bacharach received Coach of the Championship honors. 

Fordham now advances to the NCAA Championship, which will be held Friday-Sunday, December 1-3, at the University of Southern California’s Uytengsu Aquatics Center in Los Angeles, California. 

Release courtesy Fordham University Athletics Communications