PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Wagner College men’s water polo team opened its 2021 season at the Bruno Classic host by Brown University as the Seahawks fell to the host/No. 18-ranked Bears, 15-12, Santa Clara University, 16-15, and St. Francis College Brooklyn, 17-8.
The first game of the season saw the Seahawks face off against in-state rival St. Francis Brooklyn.
The Seahawks had a dream start jumping out to a 3-0 lead 102 seconds into the action with goals from fifth-year Jack Leighton, sophomore Zysombor Gyemant and freshman Andrew Cowie.
Leighton opened the scoring after winning the first sprint and scoring 17 seconds into the contest. The first quarter had a rapid pace with the Terriers three goals of their own in less than a two-minute span late in the quarter. The opening frame ended at a three-all deadlock.
Turnovers plagued the Green & White in the second quarter as the Terriers opened a 9-5 lead at the half. St. Francis went four-for-seven on power plays in the opening half, while Wagner shot one-for-eight.
The second half continued the theme of the second quarter, with the Terriers outscoring Wagner by a 7-3 count. In addition, the Seahawks were held without a goal in the fourth quarter as the Terriers rolled to a nine-score victory.
In game two, Santa Clara claimed a 14-11 victory in another come-from-behind loss by Wagner.
The Seahawks pulled out to an early lead with two goals from Oliver Fodor in the first three minutes, the first coming 15 seconds into the contest. However, the Broncos charged back into the contest to tie the score at four-all by the conclusion of the opening frame.
The second quarter followed suit as both teams continued to battle back and forth, Fodor completed his hat trick early in the quarter on the way to five tallies in the first half.
Leading 10-8 at halftime, Wagner continued its strong play in the third quarter with freshman Mattia Bognolo, Cowie, Gyemant and junior Jerry Alamo all scoring, Bognolo’s and Cowie’s goals were their second of the game.
Wagner held a 14-11 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but Santa Clara rallied to tie the game at 15.
Nico Valls capped off the comeback victory for the Broncos by burying the eventual game-winner with 1:17 remaining on the clock.
The first day of the Bruno Classic concluded for Wagner with a tilt against the host Brown Bears.
For the third straight game, the Seahawks opened the scoring with Gyemant’s eighth goal of the day, but the Bears closed the quarter on a 4-1 run. Fodor accounted for Wagner’s score during the run, his seventh goal of the day.
The Seahawks opened the second frame on a 3-0 run to claim a 5-4 lead before Brown evened the score and pulled ahead 8-5 by halftime.
Junior Kevin Roach replaced starter/sophomore goalkeeper Ethan Zirh, who had the entirety of the Seahawks’ first 2.5 games, to begin the second half.
The teams again went back and forth in the third quarter by scoring four goals apiece, including the inaugural strike by freshman Vaughn Bui.
Trailing Brown by a 12-9 score heading into the fourth quarter, Wagner was unable to erase the deficit as the teams yet again traded goals to allow the Bears to escape with the vicotry.
Fodor led the way for Wagner with four goals to wrap-up the day with 10 scores.
Information courtesy Wagner College Athletics Communications
