CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — In its opening weekend and first two games of the Brown University Bruno Classic, No. 16-ranked Harvard University defeated defending Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Champion/No. 17 Fordham University, 15-9, prior to falling against No. 4 Stanford University, 19-7, at home in Blodgett Pool.
Competing at home as Harvard hosted five games for Brown in the split site event, first year James Rozolis-Hill led the charge offensively as he opened his collegiate career with five goals in his first game versus the Rams of Fordahm. He followed that up by tallying another two against Stanford in the afternoon.
Gabe Putnam started his senior season off strong by tallying six goals in the two games, while sophomore Andrej Basica recorded a hat trick against Fordham.
Senior Alex Tsotdaze scored a goal in each game, while Mot Stothart and Alex James both netted their inaugural goals of the season against Stanford.
Against Fordham, goaltender Noah Hodge had 10 saves between the pipes to stymie the defending MAWPC Champion Rams.
Puntam posted four goals – tying his career best – to go along with five strikes and two assists by Rozolis-Hill in his intercollegiate debut.
Michael Sonsini handed out three assists, while Basica finished the game with a hat trick and chipped in an assist.
Kaleb Archer recorded two steals, one block and four knockouts drawn to go along with a goal, an assist and four drawn kickouts by Alex Tsotadze.
Tied at two-all by the conclusion of the first quarter, Harvard built its margin to 7-2 in the second quarter led by goals from Rozolis-Hill, Hale, Basica and Tsodatze.
Harvard outscored Fordham 6-2 in the second quarter to acquire an 8-4 lead heading into halftime.
Three goals in the final two minutes of the third quarter permitted the Crimson to carry a 12-6 lead into the final eight minutes of the quarter.
Two goals from Rozolis-Hill and one from Putnam was enough to protect the lead from a Fordham push in the fourth quarter.
In the day’s finale for Harvard, Stanford pulled ahead early and rolled to victory.
James and Stothart scored their first goals of the season in the loss, while Putnam and Rozolis-Hill both tallied pairs of markers.
Release courtesy Harvard University Athletics Communications
