Colton (pictured) and Harvard earned its 14th win of the year in a tight, 12-10 win over MIT. (Doug Stevens)

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The No. 19 Harvard men's water polo team (14-5, 3-3) was on the road for a midweek clash against MIT (8-10, 3-3) and came away victorious. Though the Crimson would never lead by more than two goals and after four tightly contested quarters, the squad defeated the Engineers, 12-10. 

The first quarter between Harvard and MIT would foreshadow things to come in the game. The two teams traded goals through out the first, ending 4-4. Freshman Colin Chiapello started off with the hot hand, scoring back-to-back goals to close out the stanza for Harvard. 

The Crimson defense was strong in the second quarter, only allowing three goals. Joey Colton was the star in that period, finding the back of the net twice. Heading into half time, Harvard held a slim, 8-7, lead. 

The second half was just as hard-fought as the first, with the score never being separated by more than a single goal. Both defenses clamped down in the quarter with only three total goals being scored. 

Again things were knotted up, this time at 9-9, to start the final frame. Ben Zepfel provided the late-game heroics for Harvard, scoring two goals and securing the Crimson's 12-10 win against its crosstown opponent.

Harvard and MIT have a history of hard-fought battles, with the last 11 matches being decided by three or fewer goals.

The Crimson now has a few days to rest before heading to Providence, Rhode Island, to compete in the Ivy League Championships, hosted by Brown. Harvard opens the tournament against the No. 13-ranked and host Bears, Sunday, Oct. 19 at 9:30 a.m.