George Washington University Overcomes Mercyhurst University, 17-8, McKendree University, 21-11, & Salem University, 16-15, at Navy Invitational; Suffers 18-3 Setback Against No. 5 Princeton University
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The George Washington University water polo team closed out the opening weekend at the Navy Invitational with a 3-1 record. The Revolutionaries started well on Saturday, September 7, with comfortable wins over Mercyhurst University, 17-8, and McKendree University, 21-11, before splitting games on Sunday, September 8, by falling to No. 5 Princeton University, 18-3, before rebounding against Salem University, 16-15.
GW started off the season on the right foot by defeating returning Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) member Mercyhurst by nine scores. The Revolutionaries started fast, going up 7-2 in the first quarter, before adding to the lead in the second quarter and bringing a 12-3 advantage into halftime. The game slowed to start the second half with just three total goals in the third quarter, and with a comfortable 14-4 lead going into the final frame, GW cruised to a 17-8 victory and moved to 1-0 in conference play.
GW spread the wealth on offense in the opener as four players tied for the team lead of three goals: newcomers Yam Kabakov and Adonis Vlassis, and returners Kai De Orbeta and Andrea Sekulic. Antonio Florena was the only GW Rev with multiple assists (three), and he also led the team with four steals.
Graduate student goalkeeper Luca Castorina made 13 saves, while first-year goalkeeper Connor Jermain made three saves of his own.
All 16 rostered student-athletes got into the game against Mercyhurst as Kabakov, Florena, Jermain, Rowan Keane, Joseph McCreary, Griffin Yamaoka and Andrei Khudiakov each made their collegiate debuts, while Vlassis made his GW debut.
The late game on Saturday was another successful outing for the Revolutionaries as they defeated the McKendree Bearcats, 21-11. GDUB outscored McKendree 5-2 in each of the first two quarters to hold a 10-4 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, GW used a four-goal run to create more separation and build its lead to 16-6, and the Buff & Blue stayed course in the fourth quarter, outscoring McKendree 5-4, to claim a 10-goal victory.
St. Francis College Brooklyn transfer Vlassis led the Revolutionaries in game two on both ends of the pool, scoring six times and nabbing five steals. Florena and Kabakov had big games on the offense with four goals apiece, while much of the offense ran through Sekulic who finished the game with five assists. Both Castorina and Jermain appeared in net, and they were led by Castorina with six saves and two assists.
Fresh off their 2023 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament semifinal appearance, the Tigers of Princeton presented a challenge for the Revolutionaries who were facing one of the nation’s best teams. Princeton – which entered the game at 2-0 after picking up wins over Biola University (24-2 W) and Occidental College (31-7) W – blanked GW, 9-0, in the first half. GW broke through early in the second half, but the hill was too steep to climb as Princeton closed out their 18-3 win.
Vlassis, Sekulic and Keane had goals for GW. Castorina played the entire game against the Tigers and made 10 saves.
The final game of the weekend proved to be the tightest as George Washington closed the weekend against Salem.
The Revolutionaries got out to a fast start against the Tigers, claiming the first four goals of the match and holding a 6-2 through one quarter. Neither team gave way in the second quarter, and with three goals a side, GW held a 9-5 lead through 16 minutes.
The game remained at arms reach until late in the fourth quarter when Salem mounted their comeback attempt; the Tigers scored four-straight goals in the final two minutes to bring themselves within one, but the comeback was not to be as GW closed the door with its 16-15 victory.
Florena paced George Washington with five goals and four steals in the weekend finale. Sekulic picked up four goals and added two assists, while both De Orbeta and Vlassis had two goals apiece. Castorina played the whole game in goal, making 16 saves on 35 attempts.
Information courtesy George Washington University Athletics Communications
