CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – No. 13 Harvard men's water polo took down Salem University 14-8 and Mt. Saint Mary's 20-9 as the Crimson completed a 4-0 weekend at the Harvard Invitational. Junior Alex Tsotadze scored nine times on the day while junior Michael Sonsini contributed 13 assists as Harvard improved to (17-2, 4-1 NWPC) on the season.
 
Game 1: Harvard 14, Salem 8
Salem began the game on a 3-0 run, blocking multiple Harvard shots and getting out in transition to score. Junior Gabe Putnam got Harvard on the board late in the first period, and Salem led 3-1 after one. The Tigers would jump out to a 6-1 advantage midway through the second period before junior Alex Tsotadze scored twice while sophomore Kaleb Archer added a goal and Harvard went into halftime trailing 6-4.
 
Senior Jackson Enright and Putnam began the second half with massive goals to tie the game at six. Archer would add two more in third period and the score was nodded at 8-8 going into the fourth period. Harvard would take over in the final period, not allowing a goal as junior goalie Noah Hodge made nine total saves on 17 shots. Sophomore Owen Hale scored two in the final frame along with Putnam and Tsotadze as Harvard ended the game on a 13-2 run.

Harvard Highlights Game 1

• Juniors Alex Tsotadze and Gabe Putnam led the Crimson with four goals each.
• Junior Michael Sonsini tallied seven assists, a game-high for any Harvard player this season.
• Sophomore Owen Hale totaled two goals, two assists, and two steals in the victory. 

Game 2: Harvard 20, Mt. Saint Mary's 9
After falling behind 3-0 in game one, this time it was the Crimson who started with three unanswered. Archer scored less than 40 seconds in to begin the scoring before first-year Andrej Basica converted a five-meter shot. The Mountaineers battled back and made it a one-goal deficit after one, trailing 5-4. The Crimson took control in the second period, scoring eight times before the half. Tsotadze, Basica, and sophomore Colin Le tallied two goals each in the second frame and Harvard led 13-6 at the half.
 
The Crimson held on to its lead throughout the second half, as junior goalie Nathan Wu stopped nine of the 18 shots he faced. Tsotadze would net two more goals after his first half hat trick, while first-year Tyler Zarcu and junior Roger Brockett added late goals to give the Crimson a 20-8 victory to conclude the weekend.
 
Harvard Highlights Game 2

• Junior Alex Tsotadze led the Crimson with five goals, while first-year Andrej Basica found the back of the net four times.
• Junior Michael Sonsini added six more assists, once again leading the Crimson.
• Sophomore Owen Hale totaled two goals and two assists to go along with four steals.

Game Notes

• Harvard recorded a second consecutive 4-0 showing at the Harvard Invitational.
• The Crimson allowed zero goals in a period for the sixth time this season, blanking Salem in the fourth.
• Harvard improves to 16-1 in its last 17 games this season.

What's Next? 
Harvard heads west to Santa Clara, Calif. to compete in the Julian Fraser Memorial Tournament. Harvard begins its tournament on Friday, Oct. 22 matching up with Fresno Pacific at 5:00 p.m. EST. The Crimson will play two on Saturday, Oct. 23, taking on No. 18 California Baptist at 11:30 a.m. EST and host Santa Clara University at 7:30 p.m. EST. Harvard concludes the tournament on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 11:00 a.m. EST, matching up with No. 6 University of California Santa Barbara.