ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The No. 20-ranked/host the United States Naval Academy water polo team concluded play in the 2026 Navy Open with a doubleheader sweep of Austin College at Lejeune Hall. The Midshipmen began the day with a 17-5 victory over the Kangaroos, before claiming the second game of the doubleheader, 15-6.
“This was a good weekend for us,” said head coach Luis Nicolao. “We were able to get everyone that was healthy into the pool. Everyone that played contributed to our wins this weekend. There are still things that we need to work on, but It is a good thing when you don’t necessarily play your best and you are still able to win. I am proud of the team for their effort this weekend and excited about improving every day throughout the season.”
On the final day of the Navy Open, the Midshipmen had 10 different players score with eight players recording multiple goals on the day. Aiden Berry and Connor Cashman led the charge with six goals apiece. Tanner Lustig followed with four scores, while Luke Kirincich, Ryan Mondzelewski, Declan Murphy and Hudson Parks notched three goals apiece. Declan Bartlett netted two goals with Austin Kahn and Jack Mason rounding out the scoring.
Cashman registered hat tricks in each game, while Berry, Lustig and Kirincich added hat tricks in game one.
At goal, Oren Penning earned the start in both contests. The freshman worked the first three quarters of each game before giving way to Francis Hendrickson for the final eight minutes. Penning tallied 16 saves in six quarters of action with eight stops in game one and eight in game two. Hendrickson notched three saves with two in game one and one in game two.
The Midshipmen took an early lead and never looked back, cruising to a 17-5 win over the Kangaroos in the 8:00 a.m. game.
Cashman got the scoring started in a 5-0 first quarter to put the Mids in front early. Berry followed with back-to-back goals to push the advantage to 3-0. Lustig and Kirincich also found the back of the net in the frame to put Navy in front 5-0 through one quarter of play.
In the second quarter, Austin chipped into the Navy lead with back-to-back goals. The Mids countered with three straight strikes as Murphy, Berry and Parks pushed the advantage to 8-2. The goal by Parks was the freshman’s first collegiate tally. After a Roos’ goal, Lustig and Kirincich notched two goals apiece to send the game into halftime with the Midshipmen in front 12-3.
Navy extended its advantage in the third quarter. Kahn and Berry each scored with Cashman netting a pair of goals in the frame to extend the Midshipmen’s advantage to 16-4 through 24 minutes of action.
The two teams matched one another in the final quarter, each scoring one goal. The Kangaroos netted their goal and Mondzelewski scored on a five-meter opportunity to provide the final margin of 17-5.
Navy completed the two-game sweep of Austin College with a 15-6 victory in game two.
The Kangaroos took the early lead, going up 2-0 early. D. Bartlett and Murphy countered with goals to send the first quarter locked at two-all.
In the second quarter, the Midshipmen took control of the game out scoring the ‘Roos 7-1. Navy used a 4-0 run with goals by Mondzelewski, Cashman and a pair of scores by Parks to pull ahead 6-2. Following an Austin goal, the Mids closed the half with two goals by Cashman and another score by D. Bartlett for a 9-3 lead at intermission.
The Kangaroos began the second half with back-to-back goals to cut the margin to 9-5. Navy responded with a pair of goals by Berry and a score from Mason to head to the final quarter of play in front, 12-5.
In the fourth quarter, the visitors once again scored first, but the Midshipmen responded, closing out the game with goals from Lustig, Mondzelewski and Murphy to claim a 15-6 victory.
Release courtesy United States Naval Academy Athletics Communications
