PRINCETON, N.J. — The Wagner College men’s water polo team faced elite national competition this weekend, taking on three Top-20 ranked opponents at the Princeton Invitational hosted by Princeton University at DeNunzio Pool on Friday-Saturday, September 11-12. Squaring off against No. 11 San Jose State University, No. 17 Santa Clara, and No. 20 Saint Mary’s University of California, the Seahawks took 18-6, 17-9 and 19-11 defeats, respectively.
On Friday, September 11, San Jose State came out strong from the opening sprint, taking advantage of early opportunities to build a 3-0 lead after the first quarter while keeping the Seahawks off the board.
In the second quarter, junior captain Smith Connors got Wagner on the scoreboard at the 7:33 mark to make it a 3-1 game. However, San Jose State responded with five goals to close the frame and enter halftime with an 8-1 advantage.
During the third quarter, the Spartans continued to create separation with transition scores. Freshman Noah Garrison broke through late in the frame via a strike at the 11 seconds mark, but San Jose State carried a 13-2 lead into the final eight minutes of regulation.
Wagner had its best offensive performance in the fourth quarter by netting four goals. Sophomore Kelly Murphy opened the frame with a strike at 6:54. Junior Matan Friedenberg scored three goals in the final three minutes, including a tally with just 23 seconds left on the clock to complete a team-high four-goal performance.
In the nightcap against Santa Clara, senior captain Patrick Ray provided a late goal for the Seahawks, finding the back of the net at the 1:35 mark to close out the first quarter. However, the Broncos bucked Wagner for a total of six goals to hold a 6-1 edge after the first frame.
The Broncos expanded their advantage in the second quarter with a five-goal surge. Wagner kept pace offensively with three goals of its own, highlighted by strikes from Murphy, senior Vince Varga and Friedenberg, to go into halftime trailing 11-4.
Santa Clara maintained its momentum coming out of the break by putting together a two-goal third quarter. Friedenberg added one more goal alongside strikes from freshman Harry Colley and Ray, but the Broncos scored two goals to acquire a 13-7 margin.
The Green & White continued to battle in the fourth quarter, getting additional goals from junior Matt Wedlock and Friedenberg, who completed a hat trick in the game..
In the Seahawks’ weekend finale on Saturday, September 12, Saint Mary’s constructed a 6-2 advantage in the first quarter despite goals from Friedenberg and senior Gabe Johnson.
Murphy netted the Seahawks’ lone goal during the second quarter as the Gaels closed the first half on a 3-0 run to carry a 9-3 lead into the break.
The Green & White came out of halftime strong as the third quarter proved to be Wagner’s most offensive eight minute span.
The Seahawks erupted for four goals as Friedenberg secured his second goal of the match, while sophomore Jonah Aguilera and freshman James Davis all found the back of the net. The Gaels countered with six goals of their own to extend their lead to 15-7 through 24 minutes of action.
Refusing to back down, the Seahawks traded goals with Saint Mary’s in the fourth quarter, matching them goal-for-goal in a four-all stretch. Friedenberg finished off a hat-trick, with sophomores Jacob Troy and Weston Swank joining Davis in notching knocks.
Information courtesy Wagner College Athletics Communications
