BRONX, N.Y. –– Behind six-goal performances by Marco Napolitano and Andras Toth, the No. 5-ranked Fordham University Rams posted a 27-13 home win versus the Gaels of Iona University to retain the Judge Cup for the seventh consecutive year.
Fordham is now 11-1 on the season, while Iona falls to 4-10.
Leading 3-2 at the midpoint of the first quarter, Fordham got consecutive goals from Toth, followed by markers from Kyle Thomas, Napolitano and Tyler Fahey to build up an 8-3 advantage by the end of the opening eight minutes.
After extending the lead to 13-7 by halftime, the Rams lit the lamp nine times in the third quarter to pull away from the Gaels at 22-10. Of those nine goals, Napolitano had three of those markers with Toth adding a pair.
Fordham closed with a five-goal fourth quarter in doubling up the Gaels, 27-13.
Toth scored six goals to go with two assists, a steal and two blocks, while Napolitano set career-highs with six goals and four assists.
Luca Provenziani netted four goals with pairs of assists and steals. Thomas, Fahey and Diego Tresa each posted two goals.
In net, Matthew Bonello DuPuis made two saves in the first half, while Kristof Magony had six in the second half.
Fordham improves to 10-3 in Judge Cup games against Iona.
The Judge Cup is named for Dr. Francis X. Judge, who was the father of five Iona water polo players, including three Goal Club Hall of Famers: Greg ’84, Matt ’86, Ray ’87, Mike ’94 and Kevin ’95. Chris ’80, his second oldest son, starred for Fordham, coached the team and was inducted into the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Hall of Fame.
Information courtesy Fordham University Athletics Communications
