The Fordham Water Polo team enjoyed a very successful doubleheader against two programs that received votes in the latest national Top 20 poll and Division III Top 10 poll, respectively, with wins over the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Connecticut College on Saturday at the Colonel Francis B. Messmore Aquatics Center. The two victories push the Rams up to 6-4 on the season.
R.J. Simmons found the back of the net within 25 seconds of the opening contest against the Engineers and teammate
Andrew Gonzalez added two more within the first period to help the Rams to a slim 3-2 lead after the opening eight minutes.
Gonzalez made it three in a row halfway through the second frame and freshman
Magnus Sims added his first of the day sandwiched around a goal by MIT.
The second half was a different story as Fordham pelted the opposing net and outscored its opponent, six to two for a final score of 11-5. Simmons tallied four more to an already stellar junior campaign, while freshman
Diego Delgado assisted on a career-high three goals despite not scoring for just the fourth time this season.
Fordham's defense was fantastic in game one, led by sophomore keeper Alex Jahn's nine saves (one less than his career high) and a combined 15 steals and blocks.
"Coach Bacharach and I were very pleased with the effort in game one. MIT were very solid," head coach
Bill Harris said between contests, "We always try to win with defense. Jahns played exceptionally and the guys really responded."
The momentum temporarily seemed like it wouldn't carry over into game two against Connecticut College. The Camels led 4-2 after 6:38 but goals from
Patrick Reyes and Gonzalez knotted it up by the end of the period. From that point on, the Rams dominated.
Both Simmons and
Patrick Lenihan scored within the first minute of the second frame and goals from Simmons, Reyes, and Lenihan followed as the Rams shut out the Camels over the entire period.
Reyes notched his third less than 30 seconds into the second half and seconds after Connecticut College took a timeout they were back on the board to cut the deficit to five, but not after letting up eight straight goals spanning two periods.
Fordham responded with three quick goals from DeFontes, Delgado, and
Landon Kern, the latter two of which came while a man up.
All active players were able to participate in the contest and freshman
J.J. Meador stood out in the fourth frame for two close-range goals, a new career-high. Both back-up keepers
Patrick Harrigan and
Bryce Charles saw time in the fourth.
Reyes' four goals and points were each a new career-high for the senior. Cameron Schewchuck's three helpers in game two were also a career-best.
"I was a little concerned about a letdown game against Connecticut College, but after the first quarter, our guys found their game. Overall, it was a very successful day. We got four points from conference contests and that's what we set out to do today." Harris said.
The Rams are back in action tomorrow with very two tough match-ups against nationally ranked Harvard, 18
th in the country, and Brown, 12
th. The contests will take place at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively.
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