Bronx, N.Y. – (September 29, 2023) – The nationally ranked Fordham water polo team is back in the pool this weekend, as the team hits the road for three league matches, traveling to George Washington and Navy on Saturday and Johns Hopkins on Sunday.
 
After a week off, the Rams (8-3, 4-0 MAWPC) look to remain atop the MAWPC standings after posting wins in their first four league matches down at the Bucknell Invitational.  It was also a big weekend for George Papanikolaou and Michael Rahner, as both earned MAWPC weekly awards for their play.  Papanikolaou was the MAWPC Player of the Week on September 20^th after registering eight goals, 13 assists, four steals, and two blocks over four games, while Rahner was the league's Defensive Player of the Week, recording nine steals and two assists.
 
As for the Rams' opponents, George Washington is 5-6 on the year, 1-2 in the MAWPC.  They open their weekend of play on Friday against Johns Hopkins.  The Revolutionaries' top scorer this season is Victor Jovanovic with 33 goals and 40 points.
 
Navy has had a very strong start to the season with an 11-3 record and 2-1 mark in league play.  The Midshipmen are currently 19^th in the national poll and have three victories over nationally ranked opponents (Long Beach St., Santa Clara, and Air Force).
 
Johns Hopkins is 1-9 on the year, 0-4 in the MAWPC after falling to Fordham on September 16^th by a 21-8 final score.
 
GAME COVERAGE
Saturday – 10:00 AM - #18/17 Fordham at George Washington | Live Video (Facebook Live) | Follow on Twitter at @FordhamPolo
 
Saturday – 7:00 PM - #18/17 Fordham vs. #19/19 Navy | Live Video | Follow on Twitter at @FordhamPolo
 
Sunday – 11:00 AM - #18/17 Fordham vs. Johns Hopkins | Live Video | Live Stats | Follow on Twitter at @FordhamPolo
 
HISTORY: This is the 35^th meeting between Fordham and George Washington since 1988 with the Revolutionaries holding a slight edge in the series at 18-16.  Fordham has won the last four meetings with the last George Washington in coming at the 2019 MAWPC Championship.
 
In a battle of two ranked opponents on Saturday night, the Rams and Midshipmen have a long history dating back to 1949.  Though Navy holds the overall series lead, the Rams have gotten the better of play since 2016, going 11-4 in 15 meetings.
 
Against Johns Hopkins.  Fordham has played well against the Bluejays in recent years, posting a 13-3 record since 2016, which includes the win earlier this season.

RAMS' DUO EARNS MAWPC WEEKLY AWARDS  (9/20): The Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) announced its weekly awards for the third week of the season.  Among the award winners, Fordham's George Papanikolaou was selected as the league's Player of the Week, while Michael Rahner was the Defensive Player of the Week.
 
Papanikolaou had a big weekend, registering eight goals, 13 assists, four steals, and two blocks over four games at the Bucknell Invitational, helping Fordham to a 4-0 start in league play.  On Saturday, he had a hat trick and a block in a win over Bucknell, while dishing out a career-high seven assists to go with two goals and two steals against Johns Hopkins.  He then posted two goals, an assist, and two steals in a win over Wagner on Sunday and finished with a goal and five assists versus Mt. St. Mary's.
 
Rahner was a big part of the Rams' defensive efforts over the weekend, recording nine steals and two assists over four games at the Bucknell Invitational.  On Saturday, he notched four steals and an assist against Johns Hopkins.  Then on Sunday, Rahner had three steals in a win over Wagner, as the Rams held the Seahawks without a goal for over 20 minutes of game action, while having an assist and two steals versus Mt. St. Mary's.
 
RAMSES CHALLENGE: The Ramses Challenge is back this season. Fans can pledge support for the team in the Ramses Challenge for each goal the water polo team scores this season. Be a part of the challenge by clicking here.
 
WHAT'S NEXT: The Rams will next be in action on Wednesday, October 4^th, as they host Wagner at 5:30 PM at the Col. Francis B. Messmore Aquatic Center for the team's home opener.