CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – In its opening weekend and first two games of the Bruno Classic, No. 16 Harvard men's water polo defeated No. 17 Fordham 15-9 and lost to No. 4 Stanford 19-7 on Saturday at Blodgett Pool.
First year
James Rozolis-Hill led the charge offensively as he opened his collegiate career with five goals in his first game. He followed that up by tallying another two against Stanford in the afternoon.
Gabe Putnam started his senior season off strong by tallying six goals in the two games. Sophomore
Andrej Basica recorded a hat trick against Fordham on the way to the victory. Senior Alex Tsotdaze scored a goal in each game while
Mot Stothart and
Alex James both scored their first goals of the season against Stanford.
Game 1: No. 16 Harvard 15, No. 17 Fordham 9
Harvard Highlights
- Goaltender Noah Hodge had 10 saves between the pipes.
- Gabe Puntam scored four times – tying his career best.
- While opening his collegiate career with five goals, James Rozolis-Hill also recorded two assists.
- Last season's assist leader, Michael Sonsini began 2022 by tallying three assists.
- Andrej Basica finished the game with a hat trick and had one assist.
- Kaleb Archer recorded two steals, one block and four knockouts drawn.
- Alex Tsotadze had a goal and an assist while also drawing four knockouts.
- Three Crimson scored three or more goals apiece.
How it Happened
- Harvard tied the game at 2-2 on the power play to end the first quarter.
- Harvard went on a 6-0 run to make it 7-2 in the second quarter led by goals from Rozolis-Hill, Basica and Tsodatze.
- Harvard outscored Fordham 6-2 in the second quarter to make the score 8-4 going into halftime.
- With three goals in the final two minutes of the third quarter, Harvard went into the final frame up 12-6.
- Two goals from Rozolis-Hill and one from Putnam was enough to protect the lead from a Fordham push in the fourth quarter.
Game 2: No. 4 Stanford 19, No. 16 Harvard 7
Harvard Highlights
How it Happened
- Harvard scored three times in the second quarter with goals from Putnam, James and Stothart.
- Rozolis-Hill scored first in the third quarter to shrink the Stanford lead to 9-5.
Next Up
The Crimson plays twice on Sunday to wrap up the Bruno Classic. Harvard takes on Austin College at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday before finishing the tournament against No. 13 California Baptist University at 2:00 p.m.
