George Washington University Revolts Against Fresno Pacific University, 19-13, & University of California-Merced, 18-7; Falls Versus No. 9 San Jose State University, 14-3, & No. 18 Santa Clara University, 17-10, to Conclude West Coast Trip
SAN JOSE/FRESNO/MERCED/SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The George Washington University water polo team moved to 5-5 on the season as the Revolutionaries wrapped up a four-game road trip in Northern California with a 2-2 record. GW fell to No. 9-ranked San Jose State University, 14-3, in its first match in California on Thursday, September 19, before rebounding with wins over Fresno Pacific University, 19-13, and the University of California-Merced, 18-7, on Friday, September 20. The team concluded its trip to the left coast by falling to No. 18 Santa Clara University, 17-10, on Saturday, September 21.
George Washington went into battle with the ninth-ranked team in the country to begin the trip and was not able to match SJSU’s pace, falling 14-3. It took GW until midway through the second quarter to settle in with its first goal, and after sitting in an 8-2 deficit through the first half, the Revolutionaries couldn’t push back into the match. Andrija Sekulic, Adonis Vlassis and Andrei Khudiakov were each responsible for one goal.
A day later, Vlassis led the charge with eight goals and three assists to lift the Revolutionaries over the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds, 19-13. The match was close throughout. GW held a 13-12 lead halfway through the fourth quarter but was able to pull away late to secure the win. Sekulic and Yam Kabakov had three goals apiece, while Kai De Orbeta swiped a team-high four steals. Goalkeeper Luca Castorina made seven saves in the victory.
After facing FPU, the Revolutionaries had a quick turnaround of just a few hours to get ready for UC-Merced, but GW was up for the challenge and took down the Bobcats, 18-7. GW kept UC-Merced at arms reach for most of the match, and after leading 8-4 at half and 14-6 after three quarters, GDUB was able to cruise to victory in a low-pressure final frame. Antonio Florena and Leo Lueddemann each had four goals to pace the GW attack. Sekulic dished a team-high three assists, while Florena had a game-high three steals. Castorina made nine saves during his second win in goal of the day.
In the weekend finale, the Revolutionaries battled hard in the final game of the trip versus Santa Clara, but were unable to best the Broncos in their home pool and fell, 17-10. GW kept pace with Santa Clara throughout the first quarter, and were down just three goals at halftime. The Revolutionaries had the Broncos within three again after their opening goal of the fourth quarter, but that’s as close as they would get as the Broncos pulled away late. Kabakov, Lueddemann, Florena and Sekulic each had two goals for the Buff & Blue, while Castorina made 11 saves in net.
Release courtesy George Washington University Athletics Communications
