BRIDGEPORT, Pa. – Senior captain
Laszlo Strasser and sophomore
Smith Connors have both been named to the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference All-Conference Team, as announced by the league office on Thursday. Strasser earned a spot on the MAWPC First Team, while Connors collected Honorable Mention recognition following standout seasons for the Seahawks.
Strasser delivered a tremendous senior campaign, emerging as one of Wagner's most consistent two-way performers. The Budapest, Hungary, native set new career highs across the board, finishing the regular season as one of the Seahawks' top scorers while also becoming a key piece of the Wagner counterattack. Strasser appeared in every game this season and tallied multiple goals in more than half of his outings, including several three- and four-goal performances in conference play. His efficiency and versatility helped anchor Wagner's offensive rhythm throughout the fall.
During the 2025 campaign, Strasser delivered one of the most complete stretches of water polo in the conference, earning his second MAWPC Player of the Week honor after a dominant showing during Wagner's West Coast trip in early October. Over a four-game weekend, Strasser totaled sixteen goals, five assists and five steals, pacing the Seahawks on both ends of the pool. His weekend was highlighted by a seven-goal outing against CUI.
Strasser claimed his second Player of the Week award on Oct. 2 after the Gary Troyer Tournament. He erupted for a season-high seven goals in multiple games. Strasser capped the weekend with five goals, two assists, two steals and one drawn exclusion against ranked Chapman, helping Wagner secure a 20-15 win.
Connors built upon a strong freshman season with an equally impressive sophomore year, solidifying his role as one of the conference's most dynamic young attackers. The Brisbane, Australia, product continued to produce at a high level, recording numerous multi-goal games while showcasing his ability to score from all areas of the pool. Connors has now tallied double-digit goal totals in back-to-back seasons and remains one of Wagner's most reliable finishers in tight moments.
During this season, Connors continued his rise as one of the MAWPC's most impactful young scorers, earning two weekly conference honors for his standout play. Connors picked up his first MAWPC Player of the Week Honor Roll award on Sept. 17 after the Princeton Invite, a dominant weekend that featured matchups against Navy, LIU, Princeton and Iona. Across those three contests, he totaled six goals, two steals, five drawn exclusions and four assists. Connors collected his second weekly recognition on Oct. 15 after a matchup against George Washington that showcased his scoring precision and consistency. The sophomore attacker recorded three goals, two exclusions and one assist.
Together, Strasser and Connors formed one of the strongest players in the MAWPC this season, playing central roles in Wagner's offensive growth and postseason push.
The Seahawks begin postseason play Friday with the MAWPC Championships. Wagner opens the tournament with a 7:30 p.m. EST game against No. 4 Bucknell at Fordham's Messmore Aquatics Center.
