Sixth-Ranked Water Polo Wins Pair Over Div. I Fordham, Iona
MIT’s water polo team, ranked sixth nationally in Division III, defeated Fordham University and Iona College in a pair of home Collegiate Water Polo Association Northern Division games this weekend.
Victory over Div. I Fordham
Tech defeated Division I opponent Fordham University, 11-6, on Saturday afternoon in the Zesiger Pool. With the victory, the Engineers snapped a five-game losing streak and improved to 9-10 on the season, while the Rams fell to 9-10.
The win continued MIT’s domination of Fordham in recent years, as Tech has emerged triumphant in 11 of the teams’ last 12 meetings.
Michael R. Smith-Bronstein ’09 and Mark E. Artz ’10 powered MIT offensively, as each bagged a game-high three goals. Rookie John V. Preis ’11 was the Engineers’ other multi-goal scorer, netting a pair to push his team-leading season total to 48, while Devin M. Lewis ’10, Robert J. Kalwarowsky ’10, and Matthew J. Perkins ’11 rounded out the scoring with one tally apiece.
Nicholas A. Souza ’10 was solid between the posts for the Cardinal and Gray, saving nine shots.
Strong second half against Iona
MIT took advantage of a number of second-half power-play opportunities en route to a 14-9 victory over visiting Iona College on Sunday afternoon. Kalwarowsky’s workman-like effort down low helped draw four ejections to lead to many of the Engineers’ man-advantage chances, while fellow sophomore Lewis’ four goals led all scorers.
The Cardinal and Gray improved to 10-10 with the win, while the Gaels fell to 9-13.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with the squads trading goals for the entirety of the opening 16 minutes. The Engineers held a slight 3-2 advantage after the first quarter, but by the halftime break, Iona had knotted the score at six.
It was a different story beginning in the third period, however, as MIT began earning — and taking advantage of — a number of power-play opportunities. In addition to Kalwarowsky’s four, Lewis and Perkins each drew two ejections to aid the Engineers’ cause. The hosts took a 10-8 lead into the fourth quarter before pulling away for the eventual 14-9 victory.
Preis continued to impress in his incredible rookie season by netting three goals, while Kalwarowsky and Smith-Bronstein added two apiece. Morgan S. Laidlaw ’08, St. Julien P. Rosemond ’09, and Artz each added a single tally to round out the scoring.
Also key to the Cardinal and Gray’s efforts were Artz’s three assists and Smith-Bronstein’s two steals.
Souza manned the nets once again for MIT, stopping five shots and contributing three steals.
The Engineers will return to action next Sunday, Oct. 21, when they travel to Connecticut College for a 1 p.m. game.