Bronx, N.Y. – (September 8, 2023) – After a 2-2 start to the season, the 20
th-ranked Fordham water polo team continues its season this weekend at the Princeton Invitational, hosted at Princeton's DeNunzio Pool.
The Rams split their four matches at the Bruno Classic, defeating Augustana and Iona, while falling to #11 Pepperdine and RV Brown. That 2-2 start dropped Fordham from #15 to #20 in the national poll.
Fordham will once again have their hands full this weekend as two of the three matches are against nationally ranked opponents. Fordham begins the Invitational on Saturday against Chapman at 3:30 PM. The Rams then face #18 Harvard at 11:00 AM on Sunday, followed by a match with #6 Princeton at 5:00 PM.
Fordham averaged over 16 goals per game last week, led by
Lucas Nieto Jasny, who ended the week with 10 goals, four assists, and eight steals.
Jacopo Parrella ad nine goals at the Bruno Classic with
George Papanikolaou and
Balazs Berenyi each having seven.
GAME COVERAGE
Saturday – 3:30 PM - #20 Fordham vs. Chapman |
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Sunday – 11:00 AM - #20 Fordham vs. #18 Harvard |
Follow on Twitter at @FordhamPolo
Sunday – 5:00 PM - #20 Fordham at #6 Princeton |
Live Video (ESPN+) |
Follow on Twitter at @FordhamPolo -
HISTORY: As for the opponents, this is Chapman's opening week of play, after going 11-14 last season. This will be the third all-time meeting with the Panthers for Fordham, as the Rams earned victories in both the 2017 and 2019 seasons.
The Fordham-Harvard series dates back to the mid-1960s, but recently has turned into a top-notch match with either one or both teams being ranked in the national poll. From 2012 to 2019, Harvard reeled off 11 straight wins in the series. Fordham finally broke the string in 2021 with a 10-8 win over then-#11 Harvard. Last season, it was the Crimson coming away with the win, a 15-9 decision at the Bruno Classic.
The weekend concludes with Fordham and Princeton renewing pleasantries, as the Tigers have eliminated the Rams in the last two NCAA Championships. Princeton has won 20 of the last 21 meetings, dating back to 1988. The lone Fordham win in that stretch was in 2019, an 11-10 win in the Bronx.
TOUGH TESTS: The tests for the upcoming season come early and often, as Fordham will face nine teams ranked in the preseason national poll, which includes preseason #1, Cal, in October.
50-PLUS: Last season, the Rams' offense set modern day team-bests, registering 529 goals of 34 games and averaging 15.5 goals per contest. Fordham also had six different players register at least 50 goals on the season, which included
Jacopo Parrella (80),
George Papanikolaou (56),
Lucas Nieto Jasny (55),
Luca Silvestri (54),
Christos Loupakis (52) and
Balazs Berenyi (51).
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 head to Bucknell next weekend, September 16-17, for the Bison Invitational, as Fordham will face four league opponents in Bucknell, Johns Hopkins, Wagner, and Mt. St. Mary's.
