LEWISBURG, Pa. — No. 20-ranked Fordham University got its weekend at the Bucknell Invitational hosted by Bucknell University off to a great start by posting wins over Mercyhurst University, 14-6, and the host/No. 15 Bison, 13-9, to improve the Rams’ record to 6-3 on the year.
Facing Bucknell in the day and Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC)-East Region opener for both teams, the Rams built an early lead and pulled away for the victory.
Leading 4-3 after the first quarter, Fordham scored the opening three goals of the second quarter, two of which came from George Papanikolaou, to extend the lead to 7-3 and eventually take an 8-4 edge into halftime.
Fordham then repeated that effort with the first three goals of the third quarter to open up the game with an 11-4 edge that they would not relinquish. The win marked the first time Fordham has defeated Bucknell in consecutive games at Bucknell. The Rams topped the Bison in the 2019 match-up in Lewisburg and did not play each other in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For Fordham, Papanikolaou had a big day with four goals and two assists, while Jacopo Parrella had three goals and an assist. Hans Zdolsek chipped in a pair of markers, with Christos Loupakis, Curtis Vidinoff, Lucas Nieto Jasny and Nacho Ariste rounding out the scoring with one goal each.
In net, Bailey O’Mara piled up nine saves to go with a steal and an assist.
In the second match of the day, Fordham cruised to a 14-6 win over Mercyhurst to defeat the Lakers for the second time this season. The Rams previously claimed a 25-5 victory against Mercyhurst at Brown University on September 5.
Fordham scored five times n the first and second quarter to build a 10-4 lead by halftime, and never looked back.
For the Rams, Mark Katsev was the top performer with four goals and two assists, while Parrella and Gabriel Melillo each had two goals and an assist. Other goal scorers for Fordham were Zdolsek, Loupakis, Vidinoff, Jasny, Victor Schultz and Jack Brodersen.
In net, Thomas Lercari played jut over three quarters, making seven saves, while Aldo Ordonez wrapped up the game posting a penalty block and two steals.
Release courtesy Fordham University Athletics Communications
