Sept. 3, 2011

Annapolis, Md. - The Fordham water polo team saw their first action of the season on Saturday, as the team opened play at the Navy Labor Day Open in Annapolis, Maryland. The Rams earned a split in their matches, falling to Mercyhurst, 8-5, in the opener, and defeating Mt. St. Antonio, 14-4.

Against Mercyhurst, the story of the first game was the Rams' work with the extra-man advantage. The Rams had 12 opportunities and netted only two goals.

For Fordham, J.D. Shrewsbury led the attack with two goals, while Ben Clinkinbeard, Nicholas Allen, and Jake Bakas each scored once. The Rams split the goalkeeper duties between Christian Flessner and Noah LeBeau. Flessner played the first half, allowing four goals with five saves with LeBeau having four saves and four goals against.

Game two saw a better offensive effort for the Rams as 10 different players scored against Mt. St. Antonio. Allen netted a career-high three goals in the game, with Clinkinbeard and Andrew McKernin each posting two goals. Josh Itano, Shrewsbury, Daniel Barron, Robert Fleming, Eric Minowitz, Willie Leach, and Alex Judge rounded out the Fordham scoring with one tally apiece.

In net, Flessner had seven saves in the opening half with three goals against, while LeBeau had three saves, two steals, and one goal against.

The Fordham water polo team will wrap up play at the Navy Labor Day Open on Sunday with an 8:45 AM match-up with Penn State Behrend and a 2:30 PM contest against George Washington.