Mike Katzer scored two goals against Fordham Sept. 24. (Gil Talbot)

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Northern Division play began Saturday as Harvard was unable to muster a win against Iona, 13-4, and Fordham, 10-9, Sept. 24.

In the opener, Iona thrived at both ends of the pool. The Gaels, which had scored 10 or more goals in four of its last five games, produced its third highest scoring output of the season. Harvard used goalies Alexandre Popp (five saves) and Jimmy Field (nine saves) but could not stop the Iona attack.

Senior captain Kevin DiSilvestro scored half of the Crimson goals.

The Crimson defeated Fordham, 8-6, at the Princeton Invitational earlier this season but the Rams were able to sneak past Harvard in a back-and-forth game in the second matchup of the year. After leading 7-6 at the half, Fordham took an 8-7 lead into the fourth period. Harvard evened the score at eight early in the fourth and each team added another goal to make the score 9-9 midway through the final frame. A Crimson penalty with :46 seconds left allowed the Rams to net a five-meter to take the lead. Harvard nearly forced overtime but a shot with :11 seconds remaining skipped past the target.

The Crimson will take the next two weeks off before facing MIT Oct. 7 and Brown Oct. 8. The noon start against Brown has been pegged as the Harvard student rewards program and breast cancer awareness game. Every student who attends a featured game receives $1 of Crimson Cash and is entered into the season long grand prize drawing. 'Like' Harvard Crimson on Facebook for a complete calendar of student rewards games.