Sept. 26, 2009
Bronx, N.Y. -
Following a solid start to the season, the Fordham water polo team opener their conference play on Saturday night at the Messmore Aquatic Center, looking to improve their .500 record. The Rams responded with an offensive explosion, led by Ali Arat's five goals, as Fordham topped Connecticut College, 18-4.
With the win, Fordham improves to 7-6 overall, 1-0 in the CWPA Northern Division, while Connecticut College falls to 0-4 on the season, 0-1 in league play.
The Rams opened the game with a flurry, as they jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Daniel Muñoz, Ali Arat, and Victor Bautista Medina each had two goals in the period, while Scott Nemecek had the other tally.
Fordham continued to pour on the offense with six goals in the second period, included a goal by Ryan Hultman that went in just before the horn ended the half. Hultman totaled three goals in the frame, with Andrew McKernin, Arat, and Daniel Barron also picking up markers.
The Rams went into cruise control from there with five goals in the second half, including two more by Arat, as well as single goals by Tim Simo, Bautista Medina, and Mark Connor.
For Fordham, Arat led the way with five goals and two blocks, while Simo had a goal, two assists, and three steals. Hultman had a four-point night with three goals, an assist, and two steals, while Nemecek and Connor each had a goal and two assists. In net, Christian Flessner made seven stops and a steal for the win.
The Fordham water polo team will next be in action on Sunday, September 27th, when they host Brown University at noon and #18 St. Francis (NY) College at 5:00 PM.
