CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – No. 14 Harvard men's water polo took down Brown University 8-4, improving to 12-2 on the season.
 
Junior Alex Tsotadze netted two goals as Harvard put in its finest defensive effort of the season, allowing only four goals behind nine saves from junior goalie Noah Hodge.
 
Junior Gabe Putnam got the Crimson rolling with its first goal at 4:38 in the first period. Sophomore Owen Hale netted a lob shot less than a minute later and Harvard never looked back. Sophomore Max Keck added one late in the first and Harvard led 3-1 after one.
 
Junior Michael Sonsini extended the Crimson lead early in the second, before Tsotadze added another to make it 5-1 with three minutes remaining in the half. Sonsini would then force a Bears turnover and feed sophomore Colin Le for a fast-break score. Harvard led 6-2 at halftime as Hodge saved five of seven shots in the first half.
 
The game slowed down in the second half, with both teams struggling to find the back of the net. A flash of brilliance from Tsotadze gave Harvard its seventh goal late in the third, as he fended off a Brown defender before firing in a shot around two defenders and the Bears goalie. First-year Andrej Basica got on the scoresheet late as Harvard beat Brown for the second time this season.

Harvard Highlights 

• Junior Alex Tsotadze led the Crimson with two goals, adding an assist and three steals.
• Junior Michael Sonsini led Harvard with three assists, adding a goal and three steals.
• Junior goalie Noah Hodge tallied nine saves on thirteen shots to go along with an assist and two steals.
• Sophomore Owen Hale totaled three steals to go along with a goal.

Game Notes

• Harvard improves to 7-1 this season at Blodgett Pool.
• The Crimson held its opponent to under five goals for the first time this season.
• Harvard is now 2-0 against Brown this season, also defeating the Bears 10-7 on Sept. 18. 

What's Next? 
Harvard will play host to the Harvard Invitational next weekend. The Crimson kicks off its tournament on Saturday, Oct. 16, taking on Gannon University at 10:15 a.m. before a matchup with Wagner College at 3:30 p.m. Harvard will then take on Salem University on Sunday, Oct. 17 at 11:45 a.m. before its final matchup with Mount St. Mary's at 4:45 p.m. All games will be broadcast on ESPN+.