PROVIDENCE, R.I. — No. 20-ranked Fordham University concluded its run at the Bruno Classic hosted by Brown University at the Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center by falling to Santa Clara University, 6-5, and downing Mercyhurst University, 25-5.
After netting the opening goal of the match versus Santa Clara, the Rams fell into penalty trouble, allowing three extra-man goals in the first two quarters to fall behind the Broncos, 4-1.
In the third quarter, the Rams took charge scoring three straight markers to knot the game at four. George Papanikolaou netted his second and third goals of the game, while Hans Zdolsek tied the game with 2:38 left in the quarter.
The final quarter saw Santa Clara go back ahead on another extra-man goal, but Fordham answered with Zdolsek’s second of the game to leave the game tied at five with 4:24 left in regulation. The match whittled down to the final possessions, as Fordham was assessed another exclusion with only 27 seconds and followed with the Broncos getting the go-ahead goal by Matt McKim with 16 seconds on the clock.
The Rams were unable to get a clean look for the equalizer on the last possession, as Zdolsek’s final attempt was deflected away, handing Fordham a one-score defeat.
For Fordham, Papanikolaou finished with three goals and four steals, while Zdolsek had two goals and four steals. Jason Hiremath had a pair of assists for the Rams with goalie Bailey O’Mara finishing with 12 saves, one assist, and one steal.
In the Bruno Classic finale, the Rams bested Mercyhurst, 25-5, as 14 different players found the back of the net for the Bronx squad at least once.
Zdolsek led the way for the Rams offensively with three goals and two assists, while Curtis Vidinoff and Michael Rahner each had three goals. Papanikolaou, Nacho Ariste, Quinn Wagner, Gabriel Melillo, and Skyler Knoflick each had two markers. The remaining goal scorers for the Rams were Mark Katsev, Victor Schultz,Sebastian Zapatero, Lucas Nieto Jasny,Christos Loupakis and Dimitris Koukias.
Release courtesy Fordham University Athletics Communications
