Bronx, N.Y. – (October 14, 2021) – Behind hat tricks from
Christos Loupakis,
George Papanikolaou, and
Lucas Nieto Jasny, the 16
th-ranked Fordham water polo team retained the Judge Cup with a 14-5 win over the Iona Gaels at the Messmore Aquatic Center on Thursday night.
The Rams improved to 6-3 in Judge Cup, given annually since 2012 to the winner of the Fordham-Iona water polo match in honor of Fordham Athletics Hall of Famer, Dr. Francis X Judge.
Fordham (17-4) got out of the gate strong with a 4-0 lead four minutes into the first quarter and powered its way to a 7-2 lead by the end of the first quarter.
George Papanikolaou netted three goals for the Rams, which included a shot from outside of mid-pool that got past the Iona goalkeeper inside the left post.
Fordham captains Hans Zdolsek & Bailey O'Mara are presented with the Judge Cup
Iona closed the gap to four at 8-4 by halftime, but a four-goal third quarter for Fordham quickly put the game out of reach, as the Rams held the Gaels scoreless in the period.
For Fordham,
Lucas Nieto Jasny totaled three goals and two assists in the game, while
Christos Loupakis and Papanikolaou each had a hat trick.
Jacopo Parrella added a goal and four assists with
Hans Zdolsek,
Nacho Ariste,
Gabriel Melillo, and
Skyler Knoflick rounding out the scoring with one goal apiece. In net,
Bailey O'Mara played the first three quarters, making eight saves to go with an assist and a steal, while
Thomas Lercari and
Aldo Ordoñez splitting time in the fourth quarter with Lercari making two saves.
The Rams will next be in action on Friday, October 22
nd, as the team hosts Wagner for an MAWPC match, starting at 7:30 PM.
