Bronx, N.Y. – Though the temperatures were a bit cool outside, it was red hot in the Messmore Aquatic Center on Wednesday, as Fordham and Iona renewed their water polo rivalry with the Dr. Francis X. Judge Memorial Cup on the line. The Rams used stellar defense, recording 20 steals, while
R.J. Simmons and
Jake Miller-Tolt each scored three times to lead Fordham to a 10-3 win to retain the Judge Cup.
Fordham is now 3-2 all-time in Judge Cup games.
It was a low scoring affair through the first quarter, as the Rams scored the only goal of the period at the 6:10 mark on an extra-man goal by
Cameron Shewchuck.
Fordham then got the ball rolling with a five-goal outburst in the second quarter to extend the lead to 6-0, as Miller-Tolt had the first two goals of the period, followed by scores from Simmons,
Tristen Knoflick, and Shewchuck.
Chris Judge (Fordham '80) presents the Judge Cup to Fordham captains R.J. Simmons (middle) and Ethan Vandeventer (right)
The Rams kept the shutout intact until the 4:03 mark of the third quarter, when Iona finally broke through with an extra-man goal to make it 8-1 in favor of Fordham.
The Gaels pulled to within 8-3 in the fourth quarter, but Fordham notched a pair of extra-man goals by Simmons and
Diego Delgado to seal up the 10-3 win.
For Fordham, Miller-Tolt tallied three goals, an assist, and five steals, while Simmons had three goals and a steal. Shewchuck added two goals, an assist and three steals with Delgado having a goal, four assists, and three steals.
Cole Donnelly also registered a pair of assists and three steals on the night. In goal,
Alex Jahns had five saves and two steals.
The Fordham water polo team will next be in action on Saturday, October 29
th, when the Rams host Mercyhurst at 10:00 AM and Salem International at 7:30 PM.
