ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The No. 19-ranked United States Naval Academy water polo team concluded the weekend with a 15-10 Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) victory over Bucknell University at home in Scott Natatorium. The Bison tied the Midshipmen, 9-9, a minute into the fourth quarter, but the Mids responded with five straight goals to regain the lead and earn the victory.
Seven different Midshipmen scored goals during the game, including five that notched multiple scores. Sam Collingwood and Kiefer Black led the team with four and three goals, respectively, while Aiden Day, Nathan Duchez and Hayden Kahn added two score each. Tommy McKnew and Henry Williams rounded out the scoring for the Mids.
Rory Begin and Day paced the squad with two assists apiece, while Black, Collingwood and Williams each added a helper.
Team captain Caden Capobianco was once again a force at goalkeeper for the Mids. The senior registered 14 saves in game, turning away shot after shot to thwart any possible Bison comeback attempt. Additionally, Capobianco led the team with three steals, while Black notched two takeaways and Collingwood and Williams chipped in one apiece.
Navy was the first team to score as McKnew powered his way through the defense to bury the ball in the back of the net. Back-to-back Bucknell scores gave the visitors the lead, but Kahn evened the game with his first score of the day. Trailing 3-2, Collingwood netted the equalizer to send the game into the second stanza knotted at three.
In the second quarter, the Bison regained a one-goal advantage, but Black rocketed a ball past the keeper to pull the Mids even at 4-4. Collingwood once again was able to find the back of the net, giving the Mids their first lead since the game was 1-0. Kahn followed with his second score of the afternoon to give Navy a two-goal edge at halftime.
The Midshipmen extended their advantage to four goals in the third quarter before the Bison made a run to close the gap. Black converted a five-meter opportunity to extend the lead to 7-4. Following a Bucknell goal, Navy used scores by Williams and Day to move the margin to four, 9-5. Bucknell took advantage of some extra-man opportunities, while also converting a penalty shot to close the gap to 9-8 through three quarters.
The Bison continued their run with an early fourth quarter goal to knot the game at 9-9, but the Midshipmen responded with five straight goals and six of the final seven goals scored to take control of the game. Navy regained the lead thanks to an emphatic goal by Duchez. Collingwood followed with back-to-back scores to give the Mids a three-goal edge. Day and Duchez extended the lead to five at 14-9 before Bucknell was able to sneak a ball past the defense. Black cemented the victory with his third goal of the day, providing the final margin of 15-10.
