CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The No. 17-ranked Harvard University men’s water polo team lost to No. 13 California Baptist University in both teams’ season opener, 16-15, at Blodgett Pool. The game marked the start of the Bruno Classic for both teams, which is hosted by Brown University and Harvard.
After the Crimson raced out to a 3-0 lead, it was all Lancers over the remainder of the first half.The Lancers answered with four straight goals, including a pair from Whitley Beamon, as teams were tied at five-all exiting the first quarter.
After a Beamon penalty shot put CBU back in front, goalkeeper Jonas Ransford (Newport Beach, Calif.) kept the deficit at one with a deflection on a breakaway attempt from the Lancers. However, CBU took its first three-goal lead of the game heading toward halftime at 10-7.
CBU scored early in the third quarter to grab an 11-7 lead; its largest of the game.
Back-to-back goals by Carrington and senior Jack Burghardt (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), the reigning Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) Most Valuable Player, sandwiched a Jonas Ransford (Newport Beach, Calif.) save as Harvard cut the deficit in half.
A Ransford save on one end quickly led to the first career goal of classmate Geoff Slutzky (Newport Beach, Calif.) on the other as Harvard trimmed its’ deficit to one with a 4-1 run.
Trailing 14-12 going into the fourth quarter and the game was even with 4:30 to play as Burghardt maneuvered around the defender in front of the net and touch the ball past the goalie to tie the game at 14-all.
Two possessions later, Harvard went back to Burghardt for another goal in front of the net and regained the lead for the first time since 3-2.
However, the Lancers had the final word with the final two goals of the game and wound down the remaining ticks of the clock to take the win.
Information courtesy Harvard University Athletics Communications
